A hairy situation:
Students enjoy
fundraising day
Kickboxing:
McMenemy
claims ninth
Irish Open title
Page 32

THESE students clearly look like
they were having fun when they
took part in a special fundraising day at Riverdale Community College.
Students at the school organised the event, which saw them
shave and dye hair, take part in
food challenges, play egg roulette as well as many more fun
activities to raise money for the
Marie Keating Foundation.
Picture: Ania Sherlock

Concern over rise in
number of guns fired
Vital that gardai
are resourced
properly – Nulty

I LAURA WEBB

REPORTS on the number of
firearms being discharged in
the Blanchardstown Garda
district trebled in 2011, a “serious concern” for local politicians.
Recently released crime figures reveal the biggest rise in

crime for the district last year
was Discharge of Firearms,
with 12 reports during the
period of January to December 2011, compared to just four
in 2010 – a 200% increase.
Labour’s Dublin West TD
Patrick Nulty said the rise in
firearm offences is of “serious
concern”, adding, “any inci-

dent of this nature is one too
many and it is vital that the
gardai are resourced properly to investigate and prevent
such serious offences”.
Figures also show incidents
of assault causing harm were
up 15% with 60 cases, compared to 52 the previous year.
Full Story on Page 7

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

EVENT: DREAM DRESSES

MILESTONE Tree-planting to celebrate 35th anniversary

Local school
hosts Debs’ Fair
COOLMINE Community
School is giving gorgeous
dresses a new lease of life
by hosting a Debs’ Fair,
where second-hand ball
dresses will be on sale.
In a recession-beating
move, the local school is
giving soon-to-be debutantes a chance to get the
dress of their dreams at a
low cost.
The fair will also have
a number of booths, with
companies who offer flowers, nails and tan services
on display, bringing everything needed to get set up
for the big day.
For the men, CT2, located at Blanchardstown Village, will also be at the fair
to show what suits they
have on offer.
Member of the Parents
Association at CCS, Ger-

aldine Rooney said: “It’s
giving people a chance
to sell their debs’ dress.
Admittance is just €5,
and, if you sell your dress,
you just give a handling
fee of €5. We have everything needed to get ready
for the big day – it’s a fullblown fair.
“Some girls go to more
than one debs, so they
might consider this,” Geraldine said.
“It’s a different kind of
fundraiser for the school.
If it goes well we are hoping to make it an annual
event.”
The Coolmine Community School Debs Fair
takes place on March 24
between 1-5pm in the
school. For further information or enquires call
086 2216290.

Joining forces to plant trees
ESIDENTS of Sheepmoor Estate rolled up their
sleeves and got their hands dirty in order to bring
new life to the estate during a tree-planting ceremony to mark its 35-year anniversary.
This year marks a very special milestone at the estate,
and, to commemorate this, a series of events will take
place throughout the year to improve the quality of
life in the area and to celebrate the achievements, and
people, of Sheepmoor.

R

The first event was a tree planting ceremony on
February 29. Members of the community joined forces
with Fingal County Council to plant seven new trees in
Sheepmoor.
The planting ceremony was chosen by the community to be symbolic of new life, with family trees showing hope for the future, with roots in the past. Residents
young and old came out to help and do their bit for
their close-knit community.

Hannah Junken, an original resident, hangs a 35th
birthday card on the newly planted tree

Residents of all ages came out to lend a helping hand

Digging in

Almost done!

15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

ABUSE ‘All living creatures experience pain’

Adorable pups
were dumped in
business park
I LAURA WEBB

THE Dublin SPCA is
urging members of the
public to come forward
with information that will
help identify the heartless
people who dumped two
adorable puppies in a
Dublin 15 business park.
Meet Daffodil and
Primrose, the two fourweek-old female terriers
that were dumped from
the back of a car at Millennium Business Park in
Dublin 15.
The DSPCA was alerted to the incident by a
kind-hearted member
of the public who made
the shocking discovery
on March 2. The rescued
puppies are now in the
care of loving staff at the

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shelter’s Mount Venus
campus, where they are
receiving life-saving,
urgent veterinary treatment.
The little pups are so
distraught by the horrific experience that they
are extremely nervous,
underweight and heavily
worm-burdened.
Now in care of the
DSPCA team, it is hoped
the pups will be able to
leave the shelter and go to
a foster home very soon.
In a separate, shocking
incident, a 10-week-old,
ginger and white male
kitten was rescued by the
society after it received a
call from a member of the
public who witnessed a
gang of children kick the
little kitten around.

The cute kitten, christened George by care
staff, is lucky to have survived such a beating and
is also receiving emergency medical care.
Callous

Spokesperson for the
DSPCA, Miriam Kerins
says: “These animals have
been treated in the most
callous manner possible.
In the case of the puppies, they are too young to
have been separated from
their mother and there is
obviously a confused,
unspayed Mom who has
just had her babies cruelly snatched from her.
“In the case of the kitten, I find it most unsettling and destabilising
that a group of children

Four-week-old Daffodil and Primrose were dumped in a D15 business park

could behave in such a
manner. The intensity
and motivation for this
abuse must be explored.
Educating children that
all living creatures expe-

rience pain and suffering, including animals,
and discussing the similarities between us and
animals should develop
empathy and go a long

way towards preventing
future cruelty. We must
remember animal abuse
can be an indicator of
future acts of violence,”
Miriam said.

VOTING

Checking
electoral
register
A DATE announced for
the upcoming referendum on the Fiscal Compact Treaty has prompted
local politicians to urge
voters to check the electoral register.
Dublin West Sinn Fein
representative, Paul Donnelly, is calling on every
voter in D15 to check if
they are on the electoral
register in advance of the
treaty referendum.
Mr Donnelly said: “This
is one of the most important treaties to be put
before the Irish people.
I am asking every adult
over the age of 18 to log
onto checktheregister.ie
and check if their details
are correct or, indeed, if
they are even registered.
“Every election, I meet
people who turn up to
the polling station only
to discover they are not
on the register. At that
stage it’s too late and
nothing can be done to
get registered,” Donnelly
said.

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

BROADCAST

Listen
to your
library
I LAURA WEBB

GET listening to your
local library, as the Blanchardstow n Librar y
Show is now broadcasting
across the local airwaves
every week.
On Friday evenings
at 7.30pm, the library’s
very own programme is
broadcast from Phoenix
92.5fm with a new edition on the last Friday of
every month. This is just
one of the many things
the Blanchardstow n
Library has on.
Book clubs take place
each week. The next meeting is on Thursday, March
22 at 11am. They will meet
to discuss Other People’s
Money. On Thursday,
March 29, members will
be discussing The No.1
Ladies Detective Agency
at 7pm.
Becoming a member
of the library has never
been easier and what’s
great is that it is free of
charge!

LAUNCH Putting ‘One Foot in Front of the Other’

Teena turns
amazing life
experiences
into a book
I LAURA WEBB

news@gazettegroup.com

SURROUNDED by family and friends, both new
and old, Teena Gates is
humbled by the support
she has received over the
last two-and-a-half years.
And it is this support that
inspired her to put pen
to paper, and write One
Foot in Front of Another,
her first book.
If the Blanchardstown
resident and Head of
98fm News was told two
years ago that she would
lose 12 stone, climb

Mount Everest, abseil
down the side of the
Wheel of Dublin and sail
across the Irish sea in a
small boat, she probably
would have thought that
person was looking into
someone else’s future –
but, unbelievably, they
would have been right.
Her journey started in
2009. At 23 stone, Teena
was at her heaviest, and
even walking to the shops
had been a struggle. Vital
surgery meant she had to
lose four stone in just a
matter of months.
Her mind was set, and

she began the hardest,
most challenging experience of her life, which,
ironically, turned out to
be the start of her life.
“I am so surprised I
got this far. So much has
happened in such a short
space of time. All the
adventures along the way
– sailing the Irish Sea in
a very small boat, going
to Everest Base camp,
Island Peak, all the icy
climbing on glaciers, following a team and being
led by the incredible Pat
Falvey – what an incredible experience,” Teena
told the Gazette.
Touched

An experience her
friends knew would make
for a good read, and,
thankfully, she shares it
in her new book. “I wrote
it first as log, or memoir,
for me. I am absolutely
touched that so many
people are telling me that
they are seeing it as a bit
of hope, to help them
through difficult times –
that humbles me; it has
been a very emotional,
rollercoaster ride. I have
learned so much along
the way.
“I have grown as a person and I have got more
in touch with everything about me, in terms
of what I think about
myself. I probably spent
most of my life liking
parts of myself and not
liking other parts, now I
feel more comfortable.
If I don’t like something
about myself I will just
go out and change it,
instead of beating myself
up about it – that is a lesson that has taken me 40

Teena Gates celebrates the launch of her first book, One Foot in Front of the Other

years to learn.
“I set out to do something and I had a target.
First of all, it was to lose
four stone for an operation, and then it was to
get healthy to go to Everest to give something
back by raising money
for the Hope Foundation,
who care for street children in Calcutta. Instead
of helping them, they
helped me.
“It is ironic that the
name of the organisation that I first set out to
help was Hope. I tried to
help them but they gave

me hope. I didn’t realise
what an enormous gift
I was about to get back
– the more you give to
people, the more you get
back in this world – that’s
an extraordinary gift,”
she said.
Teena launched her
book earlier this month,
in a room full of wonderful people “who I have
shared experiences with,
they are all part of the
big adventure; I feel very
blessed”.
For Teena, this is just
the beginning of her new
life and all the expe-

riences over the past
number of years are just
a drop in the ocean for
what she can do. “I’m
excited about what’s to
come. People are asking
me to come to their town
to talk about Everest,
weight loss, and having a
dream and decided to do
something about it. Can
you believe that – people approaching me; I
find that extraordinary,”
Teena said.
Teena shares her amazing journey in her new
book, One Foot in Front
of Another - out now.

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15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

CONNOLLY HOSPITAL: SAVING OF €8M
ON TOP OF A BUDGET DEFICIT OF €4M

EVENT

Family
fun for
weekend

Closures needed
to stay on budget
I LAURA WEBB

THE HSE has confirmed
that “phased” bed closures
are part of measures needed for Connolly Hospital
to stay within its allocated
yearly budget.
Last week, the Gazette
reported concerns about
the loss of 20 surgical beds
at the Dublin 15 hospital
in order to balance the
books.
A saving of €8 million,
on top of a budget deficit
of €4 million, is needed
this year, according to
Edward Matthews, industrial relations officer of the
Irish Nurse and Midwives
Organisation. As part of
cost savings 20 surgical
acute beds will be closed
on a phased basis.
In a statement to the
Gazette this week, a
spokesperson for HSE
said management in Connolly Hospital have been
meeting with senior staff

to discuss ongoing plans
to ensure the hospital
complies with its statutory
obligations and remains
within its allocated yearly
budget.
“Some of the key measures/actions that are
required over the coming
months include seasonal
closures in the surgical
day ward and outpatient
services, phased closure
of 20 surgical acute beds,
rostering reviews as per
the PSA, reduction in
phlebotomy services to
GPs, measures to rationalise stock levels, savings
on contracts, energy savings and savings to be
made when new MRI is
installed.
“Management wish to
acknowledge the hard
work and commitment
of all staff during these
challenging times,” the
spokesperson added.
Commenting on the
bed closures last week,

Dublin West TD Patrick
Nulty said: “This is disappointing news; the
inevitable outcome is
increased waiting times
and, in my view, it will
cost the exchequer more
in the long term. The level
of cuts being asked by the
HSE is unrealistic.”
Mr Matthews voiced
his concerns about the
development: “I am very
worried, because the hospital is extremely overcrowded at present, and,
already, for seven days in
the last month, the hospital operated at what we
call – full capacity – which
means that they had to
put extra beds in rooms
and behind doors in the
hospital to accommodate the demand from the
emergency department
and to conceive closing
and additional 20 beds
is just unbelievable. Our
members are shocked and
dismayed.”

Cheque it out: Mar Shampla
Leadership Group raises €1,000
PICTURED at a cheque presentation to the Cystic Fibrosis Associa-

tion of Ireland are Martin Cahill, fundraising manager of CFAI,
and fundraiser Darragh Elliot. The cheque was on behalf of the
Huntstown Community Youth Project. The Mar Shampla Leadership Group raised €1,000 for the very worthwhile charity.
Photo: Ania Sherlock

LOCAL residents can
celebrate all things green
on our national day, with
free family entertainment
at the Blanchardstown
Centre.
Throughout St Patrick’s
Day, this Saturday, crowds
will be entertained by traditional bands Aris Arun
and Celtic Rhythm.
A Make and Do colouring corner is suitable
for all those creative children looking to make
something for the big day,
including flags and masks.
This takes place between
12-3pm on level 2.
Members of the Kathryn Manicle School of
Dance will be showing
off their dancing skills
between 11am and 1pm.
Meanwhile, the centre will also celebrate
Mother’s Day with a bestdressed mum competition. On March 18, from
1-4pm, the style scout will
be searching the Centre looking for the bestdressed mum.

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

OPINION No Deis schools to lose a teacher in September

Welcome for breakthrough on
disadvantaged school posts
THE recent
announcement
by Education Minister
Ruairi Quinn that no
Deis 1 or Deis 2 school
will lose a teacher next
September is very good
news indeed.
As a teacher, I have
first-hand experience

of the great work taking place every day in
schools in disadvantaged areas.
The latest Government announcement
means that these
schools will retain 235
posts which were under
threat because of the

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country’s deep financial
crisis.
Even at a time when
cutbacks are inevitable,
it is vital that we continue
to invest in education.
In the last week, we
have had news from the
IDA of huge new investments by multinational
companies in new facilities in Ireland.
A low corporation tax
rate, and a well-educated work force, are key
elements of the decisions by the multinationals companies that
invest in Ireland.
Pay Pal, for example,
which is adding 1,000
jobs to its Irish operation, needs people with
a high level of language
and IT skills.
For individuals, education provides a passage out of poverty and
we can take pride in the

fact that, over the last
eight years, our retention rate to Leaving
Certificate has risen
from 82% to 88%, now
one of the highest rates
in the world.
This is a small, but
important, victory for
schools in our most
disadvantaged areas
and I congratulate the
Labour backbenchers
who went to Minister
Ruairi Quinn and spelt
out to him, in the clearest terms, the potential
d a m a g e t h a t wo u l d
result from these particular cuts.
In welcoming this
particular victory, however, I don’t pretend
that the education sector is escaping completely from the cuts.
The Capitation Grant
for primar y schools
is being cut by 3.5%.

This is the grant that
pays for heating, lighting and photocopying,
so schools will again be
put to the pin of their
collars.
But I am most concerned about the
upcoming cuts to the
guidance service at second-level.
If these cuts kick in
from September 2012
onwards, it may mean
that guidance councillors will have to spend
a good deal of their time
teaching exam subjects.
From my own experience in schools the
work that the guidance
people do in preparing
teenagers for their college and career choices
is really important.
Moreover, they are
trained to provide a listening ear for students
going through a difficult

Cllr Michael O’Donovan

patch. This is a
cut I intend to
work to reverse.

Michael
O’Donovan
Labour Party councillor

Education - the greatest
MY good friend Joe Duffy - yes Live
line Joe! reminds me regularly that
the greatest gift, after life itself, that
my late mother Rebecca gave me was “Education”.
But being married to a teacher for over 30
years, I have learned from Anne, my wife,
how our education system has let some
people down. Overcrowding, difficult family
circumstances, poverty issues and children
slipping through the system because of class
sizes are all too familiar.
A recent national study of children, entitled Growing Up In Ireland, is the most significant of its kind ever to take place in this
country, and it gave us insight into understanding all aspects of children and their
development, including education.
The study was commissioned by the previous Government and is being carried out
by a consortium of researchers led by the
Economic and Social Research Institute
and Trinity College, Dublin.
One of the findings of the report outlines
that our children are our most important
asset, and they must be valued and cherished appropriately.
This Government has placed children’s
issues at the heart of policy-making by
establishing a dedicated Minister for Children, my colleague Frances Fitzgerald TD.
Another aspect of the Growing Up In
Ireland study highlighted the impact of
parenting on children’s outcomes in educa-

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek
Keating

tion and it is here that the DEIS Schools
play their part.
But the problem with the former Government’s answer was they threw money at everything without assessment or planning.
DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) supports various
reports for both primary and post-primary schools, which include reduced
pupil/teacher ratio in areas of disadvantage, the allocation of Administrative Principals, access to School Meals
Programme, access to numerical and
literacy programmes, a Home School
Liaison service, enhanced library support reading programmes and Language

Support Service.
In DEIS, the reading recovery, which is
a school-based intervention programme
designed to reduce literacy problems
within our education system and is an
early intervention programme giving
children, who have particular difficulties
in reading and writing over one year in
primary school, a period of intensive and
individual teaching.
I have been very concerned recently following the news that Archbishop Ryan’s
National Schools, both senior and junior,
may suffer a loss of up to 16 teachers. I
met with the teachers in the schools and
the Principals and I have spoken directly to the Minister and his Department
because of the lack of a DEIS status for
Lucan schools.
This Government is committed to education and to children and this is clearly
demonstrated by the fact that the Minister
this week has announced new schools for
Lucan, new extensions to schools in Lucan
and I am confident that he will reverse the
decision to reduce the teaching staff at
the Archbishop Ryan’s Junior and Senior
Schools.
I support the DEIS School Policy
providing it is focused and flexible.

Derek Keating
Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy

15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

CRIME Increase in the number of firearms being fired

Rise in discharged guns
I LAURA WEBB
blanchardstown@gazettegroup.com

CRIME figures for the
Blanchardstown Garda
district shows a 200%
increase in the number of
firearms being discharged
in 2011.
In a report to members of the Fingal Joint
Policing Forum, it was
revealed that the biggest
rise in crime for the area
last year was Discharge of
Firearm, with 12 reports
during the period of January to December, 2011,
compared to four in 2010
– a 200% increase.
Commenting on the
figures, Dublin West
TD Patrick Nulty (Lab)
said: “The rise in firearm
offences from four in 2010
to 12 in 2011 is of serious
concern. Any incident
of this nature is one too
many and it is vital that
the gardai are resourced
properly to investigate
and prevent such serious
offences.
“Communities have

a right to feel safe and a
strong Garda presence
on the ground, coupled
with investment in strong
community-based services, can tackle serious
crime”.
“The work of projects
like Safer Blanchardstown and local youth
initiatives, shows that
when the gardai work
with the community,
we can tackle crime
but it requires a holistic approach,” Deputy
Nulty said.
The report revealed
assault causing harm
increased by 15%, with
60 reports in 2011 compared to 52 the previous year.
There were 78 drug seizures in 2011, an increase
of 10% with 71 seizures in
2010.
Theft from a shop
reduced last year, with
663 reports compared to
865 reports in 2010, while
robberies to establishments have also reduced
from 36 in 2010 to 23 in

2011.
There was a slight
decrease in the number
of people in possession
of an offensive weapon
with 80 reported last
year, compared to 84 in
2010. Burglary for 2011
was down 9% at 604,
while criminal damage
decreased from 1,144 to
950.
C r i m e p r e ve n t i o n
operations are continuing with checkpoints,
surveillance and searches
carried out, emphasising
on high volume crime
and specific criminal targets.
There is also a 20%
increase in the number
of searches being carried
out under the Misuse of
Drugs act.
According to the
report, there are currently 55 Active Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in
the sub-district.
“There is ongoing work
being done to reactivate
dormant schemes in the
area,” the report said.

Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty

COUNCIL: DEVELOPERS

Planning move
is welcomed
A DUBLIN 15 politician
has welcomed recent
planning decisions by Fingal County Council not to
extend planning permission for developers.
Mulhuddart councillor
David McGuinness (FF),
said this is good news for
the community and bad
news for developers.
According to Cllr
McGuinness, up until
now it has been possible
to extend planning permission for up to five years
if applicants could cite
“financial difficulties as a
reason for the extension”.
However, on a number
of occasions FCC has
refused to facilitate developers in Dublin 15. The
latest refusal applied to
Menolly Homes, who are
not allowed to extend the
duration on their permis-

sion for 215 homes and a
creche.
“This balances the right
of individuals to use the
law to protect their business interests and the
community’s right to bring
conclusion to unfinished
building sites and derelict
parts of their horizon. This
represents a good move
by Fingal who are being
realistic with regard to the
prospects of this project
being completed. This
news will be welcome in
Dublin 15.”
FCC refused to extend
planning permission for
Menolly Homes for 215
homes and creche located
south of Ongar Road in
Townlands of Hansfield,
Phibblestown and Barberstown, Blanchardstown.
The decision was made
on March 1, 2012.

Students play part
in cancer battle
TUDENTS at Riverdale Community
College showed plenty of initiative
recently when they decided to organise a fundraiser in aid of the Marie Keating
Foundation.
Students shaved and dyed their hair as part
of the Today FM Shave or Dye appeal. Students tried to swallow a spoon of dry cinnamon and eat as many cracker in one minute
as part of a food challenge.

S

As part of a Dodge the Sponge challenge,
teachers had to try and avoid wet sponges
thrown by students.
They also played Egg Roulette, which saw
them smash a mixture of hard boiled and
raw eggs off their heads with the unlucky
ones getting the raw ones. There were also
cake stands, tarot card reading and a couple
more carnival events that made for a very
memorable event for a very worthy cause.

Gaelscoil
given the
go-ahead
PARENTS campaigning for a new Gaelscoil
in Dublin 15, are seeing
their hard work pay off
following the announcement that an Irish speaking school was given the
go-ahead this week.
As part of the Government’s new schoolbuildings programme,
announced by Minister for
Education, Ruairi Quinn,
this week in St Benedict’s National School in
Ongar, a new Gaelscoil
- under the patronage of
Gaelscoileanna Teo - will
be open this September.
Initially it will open on the
Powerstown Road, with a
view to have its permanent school building up
and running in Mulhuddart by 2015.
The school name,
Gaelscoil an Chuilinn,
chosen by the parents to
reflect local place names
in the area as “cuileann”

means “holly”.
According to parent,
and chair of Gaelscoil an
Chuilinn founding committee, Alison Barber,
this reflects the growing
demand for Irish-speaking schools in the area.
“As a group of parents
who have been campaigning since 2008 for this
school, we are thrilled that
the Department of Education has finally given it the
go-ahead,” Alison said.
“We’ve known for
a long time that there
was a big demand for a
new gaelscoil in the area
because the closest ones Scoil Oilibhear in Clonsilla and Gaelscoil Thulach
na nOg in Dunboyne have had to turn children
away, they just don’t have
the space to accommodate them all. The parents
who were disappointed
not to have been offered
places in those schools for

New schools
to be built

Fianna Fail’s David McGuinness expressed disappointment in the Minister

their children this year will
be delighted to hear that
there’s another option for
them in the area.
“Our committee is
working hard at the
moment on registering
students and fundraising
for the school – although
the Department will provide the school with all of
the necessities, we want
it to have the very best
resources for our children from the first day it
opens,” she added.
Parents can register
their children for September 2012 in Gaelscoil an
Chuilinn in Mulhuddart
by calling 086 3236187 or
emailing gaelscoilanchuilinn@gmail.com
Meanwhile, local Fian-

na Fail councillor David
McGuinness said he is
disappointed that the
Minister for Education,
Ruairi Quinn overlooked
calls by Carpenterstown
residents to have a new
gaelscoil come under the
patronage of An Foras
Patrunachta in their area.
Instead, a new school
building in Carpenterstown has been given to
Educate Together.
“I find the Minister’s
decision disappointing
and surprising as the
desire for a Gaelscoil in
Carpenterstown has not
been addressed; naturally,
this investment in education is a welcome break
from this Government’s
agenda of slashing educa-

POLICING: OBJECTIVES FOR YEAR ARE REVEALED

Forum outlines its
programme for 2012
I LAURA WEBB
blanchardstown@gazettegroup.com

THE Fingal Joint Policing forum has outlined
its programme for 2012,
and is hoping to improve
quality of life for its citizens, reduce levels of antisocial behaviour in public
places and create awareness of crime prevention
and community safety
initiatives.
These are just three of
the 11 objectives outlined
in its annual programme
for the year, which was
discussed at the first
meeting of the Fingal
Joint Policing forum in
February.
According to the
annual work programme,
the first objective is to

improve quality of life for
citizens of Fingal through
a process of engagement and positive action
between local community representatives, local
public representatives,
An Garda Siochana and
Fingal County Council,
on matters concerning
safety.
It is also looking at ways
of reducing levels of antisocial behaviour in public
parks, open spaces and
on beaches by improving
co-ordination between
gardai, FCC and community representatives. Traffic and safety concerns
will be addressed using
a partnership approach
with gardai and FCC.
Another objective for
the forum is to provide

EDUCATION: SCHOOL
BUILDINGS ANNOUNCEMENT

opportunities for young
people living in Fingal
to have an input into the
policing of their local
communities.
This ongoing objective
is hoped to be achieved
through “continued
engagement with young
people on issues relating
to crimes and safety”, the
report said.
Reviewing levels of
crime and patterns of
crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour is another ongoing objective for
the forum.
The forum also wants
older residents to be
able to “feel safe in their
own neighbourhood”
so they can “participate
fully in their community as a result of that

sense of well-being and
security”.
Another objective for
the year is building on
existing partnerships
with gardai, the council,
the community and other
stakeholders involved in
events that attract large
crowds such as concerts.
This is to ensure that this
type of event is a “safe and
enjoyable experience for
all those who, live work
and visit Fingal County”.
The purpose of the
Joint Policing Forum is to
serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and
recommendation on matters affecting the policing
of a local authority. Members include local gardai,
councillors,TDs and community organisations.

tion and opportunity for
young people. Equally, I
wish the new management
of the school the very best
and I will do everything to
support their new school
and community.
“Car penterstow n
residents will see this
announcement as a
missed opportunity to fulfill their desire to educate
their children through
Irish. However, I have no
doubt that all will wish
Educate Together well in
their future in Carpenterstown,” he added.

THIS week’s school
buildings announcement
revealed nine new primary schools and three
new post-primary schools
to be built between now
and 2016.
Local politicians have
welcomed the €2 billion
capital investment programme for education,
announced by Minister
for Education and Science, Ruairi Quinn this
week.
As part of the five-year
national plan, 12 new
school buildings will be
built, while three existing
schools will see large scale
extensions.
Dublin West TD Minister Joan Burton, said this
will provide much-needed
educational facilities. But
it will also give an employment boost for the area.
“This announcement
is a vote of confidence in
Dublin 15. Despite the
harsh economic climate,

this is recognition of the
need for long-term infrastructure solutions for the
education of our young
people, in what is the
fastest-growing area in
Ireland.”
Local TD and Minister
for Transport, Leo Varadkar said: “This is very
welcome news for Dublin
15, which has a rapidly
rising school population.
The building programme
will help to ensure that
schools throughout the
area have sufficient capacity to cater for the large
number of growing families,” the Minister said.
New primary school
buildings in the list for
Dublin 15 include: Mulhuddart National School,
Scoil Bhride Girls, Blanchardstown; Scoil Bhride
Boys, Blanchardstown;
Blanchardstown West
E T N S ; P owe r s t ow n
ETNS, Powerstown Road
and Tyrellstown.

10 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

EVENT Romantic Singles Night fun enjoyed at Tesco Cabra

Graham Mulcahey asking a contestant what she chose from the store to represent her

Love is in
the Aisles
ESCO held its most romantic
event to date, Love is in the
Aisles, an exclusive Singles
Night at Tesco Cabra recently.
Love is in the Aisles was a speed
dating event with a twist, with
20 men and women attending
looking for love. Participants
were sent on missions around
the store to find products which
best represent their personalities, along with a variety of other

T

match-making games, with
the most compatible couple at
the end of the night winning a
romantic dinner for two to the
value of €200 in top Dublin
restaurant, Pichet, on Valentine’s
Night. The winners, Dave Fogarty from Firhouse and Pauline
Sheerin from Raheny were
announced live on the Love
Zone Show on Dublin’s Q102 by
host Debbie Allen.

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd.
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we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your
advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted
for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two
weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week,
no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any
liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published
in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan
Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these
conditions.

Showing a Lidl love: Pamper mum with
wine and chocs this Mother’s Day
MOTHER’S DAY is a time for pampering, so whilst you are in the

kitchen whipping up her favourite pancake brunch, let her sit
back with her favourite tipple. Lidl has lots of great wines, bubble
and liqueurs at incredible value. Opt for the smooth and luxurious Deluxe Irish Cream Liqueur as an extra special treat or, as
Mother’s Day is a celebration, pop some pink bubbles such as the
popular Freixenet Cava Brut Rosé. For something sweet, you can’t
go far wrong than Lidl’s JD Gross Pralines Selection box.
For further information about Lidl and its products, or to locate
your nearest store, please log on to www.lidl.ie or visit www.face
book.com/lidlireland.

CHARITY: RAISING VITAL FUNDS

Taking part in
the Cycle4life
THE inaugural D.I.D
Electrical Cycle4Life will
take place on Saturday
May 19, in Dunboyne,
Co Meath.
Cycle4Life is a charity that has been set up
by D.I.D Electrical to
help raise vital funds for
Temple Street Children’s
Hospital.
The event will take
place over three routes to
suit all fitness levels and
for all grades of cyclists,
from the complete novice
all the way up.
Those interested in
participating, donating
or volunteering to help
in the D.I.D Electrical Cycle4Life can log

onto www.cycle4life.ie.
There are training tips
and advice available to
improve your technique
and assist you in reaching
your overall goal, whether it’s to cycle 15km or
147km.
Temple Street Children’s hospital continues
to rely on external support to assist it in the purchase of vital equipment.
With the money raised
by the D.I.D Electrical
Cycle4life, Temple Street
aims to secure essential
equipment that will provide the best possible
environment for its young
patients and purchase
new specialist equipment

and technologies to assist
in ongoing vital research.
By participating in
the D.I.D Electrical
Cycle4Life, those taking
part are not only joining a fantastic event, but
are also helping to make
a real difference to the
lives of the most precious
patients at their time in
need.
Register online now
at www.cycle4life.ie or
follow on Facebook for
updates on upcoming
events, useful tips and
organised training sessions. There will also have
an evening event in the
Crowne Plaza that night
and tickets are €100.

15 March 2012 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazettePETS
PETS

Brought to you by
Miriam Kerins of
the DSPCA

THE FACTS: A GROOMING RITUAL MAY REDUCE COSTLY VETERINARY VISITS

Pampering good for pet health
HERE are so many
wonderful reasons
to get a dog. Regular readers of this
column will know I’m a
gal who’s nuts about her
mutts. Those readers will
understand my annoyance when, through my
job, I often have to deal
with pet parents who have
gone out and bought a
dog in order to “enhance”
their own lives. However,
they’ve never taken the
time or had the desire to
enhance their pet’s lives
by giving them a regular
bath or treating them to a
trip to the groomers.
When speaking to these
self professed “dog lovers,”
I have to ask:
Do you enjoy the invigorating feeling of being
clean and fresh?

T

Do you visit the hair/
beauty salon?
You do?
Great. Well your pets
are no different.
Ok, every pet has his/
her own personality;
some love to be brushed
and fluffed, some don’t
and I will hold my hand
up and say one of my
dogs, (great aunt Sophie,
the 17-year-old, does not
like being brushed anymore but she’s an old lady
and this is her right; she
doesn’t have the patience
for it). Let’s just say our
Diva Dog is a bit of a challenge these days; however,
as her mom I know that
regular grooming encompasses many aspects of
companion pet care and
even though Sophie is
no longer as energetic as

she used to be, she is still
in need of having a nice
warm, gentle bath, getting
her nails clipped, her ears
cleaned, her anal glands
squeezed, etc., And I do
believe this regular ritual
brings me and my dear
old friend closer together…and can reduce costly
veterinary visits.
Also, when I’m groom-

ing/petting my dogs, especially Sophie, I check for
areas of bumps, tenderness, scabs, hair loss etc.,
because I do not wish
them to run the risk of the
following problems:
Ear Mites: A parasite
that lives out its life cycle
inside your pet’s ear canal;
causing severe irritation
and itchiness. I use a

soft facial tissue around
my finger or a cotton
bud dipped in cool olive
oil and very gently wipe
around the inside of my
dogs’ ears making sure not
to insert too deeply. If the
dog has an open wound
or the ear is inflamed, it’s
straight off to the vet.
Fly strike: Also known
as Myasis – a maggot
infestation. This is more
common in warmer
months where flies lay
eggs that go on to develop
into larvae that eat dead
and rotting tissue on your
pet. For example, vomit,
skin infection, mated
hair, diarrhoea, etc., This
condition can be fatal if
left untreated. Bathe and
groom your pet regularly,
treat your pet for diarrhoea immediately, and if

your pet becomes ill, keep
them indoors away from
flies. Always seek veterinary attention.
Anal Sac Impaction:
Dogs and cats have anal
sacs that can become
impacted if not emptied
properly. Ideally, anal
sacs should empty with
your dog’s normal bowel
movements. You won’t
even notice this, however,
if your pet begins to drag
his/her behind along the
ground, take him/her to
your vet. There could
be other reasons for this
dragging, such as a bothersome growth, matted
hair, an irritation or diarrhoea. Only your vet can
diagnose.
Minty Fresh Breath:
When I’m rubbing my
dogs’ faces I always take a

look inside their mouths
to check for plaque
build-up. If you do this
and notice plaque, or bad
breath, take your pet to
see the vet for a dental
check up. When there,
ask your vet if he/she can
demonstrate the correct
technique best suited to
your pet and follow the
guidelines.
Please do seek your
vet’s advice regarding
any concerns about your
pet and, if you don’t feel
like grooming your new
best friend yourself, there
are plenty of professionals who’d be delighted to
provide that service for
him/her.
For more information
log onto www.dspca.ie
or email me at miriam.
kerins@dspca.ie

15 March 2012 GAZETTE 15

16 GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteBEAUTY
BEAUTY
Spoil your
mammy at
LA Academy
LA CREATIVE Academy is offering complimentary eyebrow
treatment with every
makeover at the academy for all of March.
When you book
a make-up application for you and your
mother on a Saturday,
you receive a complimentary LA Thread
Bar treatment for that
perfect brow.
Make-up is then
applied, as well as a
threading treatment
and a complimentary
hair “touch-up” by one
of their top artists
LA Creative Academy is located at
Chatham Street, just
off Grafton St. For further information, call
01 675 1999.

Make your mum into an even bigger
star with an A-list beauty treatment
I LAURA WEBB

M

OTHER’S day
is approaching,
and all we want
to do for our
mums is to make them
feel like the only woman
in the world – so why not
think about giving mum
a makeover, and then
treat her to a luscious
meal to show off the finished results?
To help out with this,
Gazette Beauty takes
a look at Hollywood’s
newest mum, Natalie
Portman, to show readers just how easy it is to
achieve this glam, yet
subtle look.
At this year’s Oscars,
Natalie dazzled the red
carpet with her polished

-------------------------------------------------------

‘At this year’s Oscars, Natalie
dazzled the red carpet with her
polished and subtle make-up.
‘Most mums out there – if mine
is anything to go by – prefer less
is more, and Natalie has this look
down to a tee.’

--------------------------------------------------------

and subtle make-up.
Most mums out there
– if mine is anything to
go by – prefer “less is
more”, and Natalie has
this look down to a tee.
Soft, tumbling curls
help to finish this look,
and are a great way of
making mums feel like
a star.
To help achieve this

look, Maybelline New
York cosmetics has everything a daughter (or
son) needs to help make
mum feel a million dollars.
First, use Maybelline’s
Dream Satin Liquid
foundation (€11.99),
which gives skins a dewy
glow. This can be applied
using either a brush,

sponge or finger tips.
To ensure that skin
stays looking fresh and
radiant, initially apply
only a small amount
as an all-over base, and
then tap on excess product where more coverage
is needed.
Natalie’s brown eyes
are brought to life with
a mix of soft, glimmering
metallic hues; start by
blending the two deepest shades of Maybelline’s Eye Studio Coral
Drama Quad (€9.99)
along your top lid and
up into the socket line
for definition.
Add a little under your
bottom lashes to make
them look thicker and
fuller, giving a classic
smokey-eye effect.

Using a smaller brush,
apply the lightest shade
of shimmering gold to
the inner corners of
eyes to reflect light and
then softly blend it out,
creating a seamless finish where the light gold
meets the darker shades.
To add depth and
make lashes appear
instantly thicker, apply
a small amount of Maybelline’s Gel eyeliner in
Black (€11.99) along the
top lash line.
Once you have the
basic line in place, clean
off the brush with a tissue and blend the line so
it appears smoother.
Finish off with the
Colossal Cat Eyes mascara (€11.99) on both
top and bottom lashes

for fuller, thicker, fannedout lashes.
Keep mum’s lips natural, like Natalie, so not
to divert from her eye
make-up. Try Colour
Sensational Lip Gloss in
Exquisite Pink (€9.29) to
give your lips a similarly
beautiful and healthylooking sheen.
O n c e m a ke - u p i s
complete, get the curling tongs out, or hair
straightening ones, to
make loose curls. Dress
mum in her favourite
cocktail dress and she
will be ready to turn
heads at your restaurant
of choice.
Remember, Mother’s
Day is this Sunday,
March 18. Happy Mother’s Day!

15 March 2012 GAZETTE 17

Edited by
Laura Webb

FastBeauty
Cholesterol: Did
you check your
level recently?

Looking Beeautiful: Gifts
from Burt’s

APPROXIMATELY 10,000 Irish
people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
High cholesterol is one of the
major controllable risk factors for
CVD, including heart attack and
stroke. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is vital for the body to
function as normal. The problem
arises when cholesterol sticks to
the blood vessels and blocks blood
supply to the major organs.
Improving your diet, reducing
alcohol consumption, quitting
smoking and increasing physical
exercise can help reduce cholesterol. Contact your GP or local
pharmacy to get your cholesterol checked, and help to have a
healthy Mother’s Day this year

BURT’S Bees has put together two
great gifts to keep mums refreshed
from head-to-toe this Mother’s
Day. Say a big thank-you to mums
this year with products that will
keep mum feeling revitalised and
refreshed at home.
The specially-packaged products come in two gift sets. Burt
Bee’s Tips to Toes Kits (top, right)
is perfect for hardworking hands
and feet, with a collection of rich
creams and softening butters to
keep hands and feet naturally
soft and beautiful, with a RRP of
€15.95.
Alternatively, Burt’s Bees Head
to Toe (above, right) naturally
cleanses and nourishes every
part of the body. Inside, mothers
will find a generous assortment
of Burt’s most popular natural

With thanks to the staff at Lucan Village
Natalie Portman wowed at this year’s Oscars with her subtle “less-is-more”
make-up – a natural look that would be perfect for your mum this Mother’s Day

Pharmacy

skin care products, from their
beeswax lip balm to coconut
foot cream and everything in
between, with a RRP of €16.95.
Burt’s Bees Mother’s Day kits
are available from Nourish and
selected independent health
stores and pharmacies nationwide.

18 GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteMUSIC
MUSIC
FastTunes
with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods
IF YOU look up the phrase, “Still Got It”, no
doubt you will find a picture of The Rolling
Stones nearby.
The band’s music and its members have not
only stood the test of time, but they still rock
out better than thousands of acts a quarter of
their age.
Next month, The Stones celebrate half a
century together and, if they needed any proof
of their everlasting popularity, then Facebook
is it.
Last week a picture of a chuffed Keith Richards holding a piece of paper saying “9,000,000
Stones’ fans” was posted on www.facebook.
com/therollingstones (actually it was missing
the apostrophe but I guess you don’t have to
worry about that when nine million people
love you.)
The timeless calibre of songs, like Gimme
Shelter and Waiting on a Friend, is some comfort to the unsettling thought that a bunch of
lads my dad’s age have more facebook followers than Radio Nova has listeners. If a post
goes up on The Rolling Stones’ Facebook page
it can get over 50,000 ‘likes’. See what I mean?
Still got it! And that’s only the fans that are on
Facebook!
And now this flurry of online adorers begs
the question, when will The Stones announce
a 50th anniversary tour? And, more importantly how much the tickets will be? (They’d
probably have to tour for another 50 years
just to satisfy their nine million fans on Facebook). Hey, lads: If the music dates back half
a century then the ticket prices should too! A
couple of quid should do it.
But a warning to Jagger, Richards and co:
psychologists have found the more friends you
have on Facebook, the more likely you are to
suffer from stress and anxiety. And you guys
don’t need any more wrinkles...

Keith Richards and the big news...

Coming home:
Kiwanuka’s debut
hitting home now
SOUL sensation, Michael Kiwanuka, has released his much-anticipated debut album, Home Again.
The North London singer-songwriter, whose magnificent show at
the Sugar Club last month sent our
reviewer in paroxyms of delight,
seals the deal with the ten tracks
on offer, a collection of songs that
propel you back to the golden age
of soul, thanks to brilliant playing
and a stellar retro production job
by Paul Butler from The Bees.

REVIEW: HAS BRUCE MADE HIS BEST RECORD OF THE CENTURY?

Springsteen breaks it
down to build again
I ROB HEIGH

VERY few acts get as far
as ten albums, let alone
17. And you would have
to imagine that, over the
course of 17 records,
there would an early
learning phase where
they learned their craft,
followed by a mature
middle phase where
they played at the top
of their game, and it
would be topped off by
an end-game that saw
them going through
the motions while the
records spun in decreasingly satisfying circles.
You would think that,
but then, you wouldn’t
be thinking of Bruce
Springsteen.
The patron saint of
New Jersey has returned
this year with his 17th
album, and it proves to
be, possibly, the most
complete summation of
everything that makes
Bruce Bruce in a single
record this century.
I’ve always thought
that Springsteen’s
albums since Tunnel Of
Love in 1987 were almost
there, but not quite —
there was a feeling that
they missed an unidentifiable something that
entirely unified all of the
songs under one flag, in

Bruce Springsteen has delivered what might be his first completely realised record this century

spite of there being some
undeniably great songwriting and playing on
those records. Wrecking
Ball, however, feels like
the first time in a very
long time that the muse
and the cause have come
together to create something special.
Opening with the
apparently patriotic We
Take Care Of Our Own,
Wrecking Ball keeps its
intentions just under the
surface, until it’s time to
let them spill over. Our
Own is an angry volley
that hides it’s ire and
bile just as Born In The

USA did — the message
is that wherever the flag
is flown, the care and
support for every class
is most certainly lacking,
despite what politicians
and business might have
to say.
That frustration directs
the characters in many
of the songs collected
on Wrecking Ball — the
petty criminal on Easy
Money is all romance
until he pulls his gun as
he rails against “the fat
cats who think it’s funny”
who brought him low.
The anger turns to
spiritual uplift, and the

theme turns at the midpoint on the title track,
austensibly about the
end of an era as the
Giants stadium in New
Jersey is demolished,
but, equally, a metaphor
for hope and resistance
in a time of depression
and financial hardship —
“Come on and take your
best shot, let me see what
you got.”
T he music brings
together the best bombast of previous E Street
Band outings while
taking in inf luences
from the country-folk
inflected Seeger Sessions

album, as well as bringing in Irish trad stylings,
New Orleans brass, civil
war style marches, and
even drum-loops and a
rap on Rocky Ground.
I would suggest you
seek out the E Street
Band performances on
Jimmy Fallon’s show in
the US last week. There’s
something elemental and
uplifting seeing the band
perform together, even
without the talismanic
presence of Clarence
Clemons, the saxophone
legend who passed away
last year. The last gang in
town are back to rock.

Happy feet lead to
happy customers
CATRIONA Byrne has been working in the health
service for the past 12 years and she has noticed an
increased number of patients, of all ages, presenting
with medical complaints which impacts on the condition of their feet. “These medical conditions vary
from diabetes, obesity, joint replacement and back
problems. In most cases, these patients have been
encouraged to exercise more regularly in order to
reduce weight and, in turn, help with their medical
condition. However, if a patient is also having discomfort in their feet, the exercise plan soon goes out
the window!” said Catriona.
In 2010, she completed training in Foot Health
Management and Biomechanics, as she felt there
was a gap in the health service providing both a chiropody and biomechanical service to patients. The
biomechanics of the service includes assessing the
patient’s gait / walk and includes recommending an
exercise programme and / or orthotics as necessary.
“The patients may present with complaints such as
fallen arches, knee or back pain, hammer toes, bunion
problems or indeed heel spurs, tendonitis or generalised foot pain. So, while I provide a full chiropody
service to patients, my service focuses not only on
treatment, but also on preventative measures also.
“I find the business extremely rewarding as clients
always comment on how good they are feeling after
their appointment!” she said.

Q: What is the best thing
about your job?
A: As I am a Foot Care Practitioner, I deal with all aspects of
foot pain, generally all patients
present with varying foot pain,
they all leave feeling much better – there is immense satisfaction in that.

Q: : Have you achieved anything that you once thought

coupled with the State pension, I am scared that

chardstown
A – While I am a great advocate of starting a pension
as early as you can, I am also an advocate for getting
to grips with how the pension system works as early
as one can, too. Like a bricklayer laying brick upon
brick, but without having to see the bigger picture,
most pension investors are happy to make minimum
contributions not knowing what the consequences
will be. The end game is just so important, as you are
now unfortunately experiencing. With only a fund of
€ 23,000, you can take € 5,750 as a tax free lump sum,
and invest € 17,250 into an annuity – essentially a fixed
interest rate deposit account guaranteed for life.
You take this interest then as your income for life but
when you die, the insurance company keeps the fund.
You are therefore buying a guaranteed income for
life – the ideal, of course, is to live as long as possible
and outlive the annuity ! Taking a rate of c. 4.5%,
this equates to €64.68 per month and, even with the
annual State pension, a total of c.€13,000 per annum,
you can afford to earn at least another € 5,000 per
annum free from income tax.
The lesson is a hard one. There are thresholds on
Catriona Byrne, of The Foot Clinic at Doc Morris, Superquinn SC, Blanchardstown

the amount of contributions that can be made to a
pension fund based on age, e.g. aged between 40 and
50, you can contribute up to 25% of your net relevant

Q: What was your first job?
A: McDonald’s

Q: When did you start your
present job?
A: 2010.

very little by way of a monthly pension and,

How can I maximise my PRSA fund? Joan – Blan-

you could not pull off?
A: I like to set myself achiev-

variety of jobs but my pet hate
is filing.

to retire next May. I have been told I will receive

Finding a job at 66 is not easy, but I may have to.

Q: When you were a kid, what
did you want to be?
A: It varied every year.

Q: Have you ever done a job
you loathed?
A: Not really – have done a

Q – My PRSA has only € 23,000 in it and I am due

I just simply won’t be able to afford to retire.

Q&A

Q: And your first pay cheque?
A: I can’t remember.

RETIREMENT SAVINGS

able goals.

Q: At the moment, what are
you looking forward to?
A: My summer holidays.

Q: How many pairs of shoes do
you own?
A: Maybe eight or 10

Q: What part of your working
day do you ‘delegate’?
A: Again, filing!

Q: What is your guilty music/
TV or movie pleasure?
A: Enjoy a good film.

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?
A: Holidays, if possible.

Q: What’s currently on your
desk that shouldn’t be?
A: It’s still the filing, unfortu-

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/
iPad?
A: I don’t have iPod or iPad

Q: Describe your dream
holiday?
A: A nice beach, good book,

nately.

Q: Is there anything about
yourself that you would like to
set the record straight on?
A: Not really – I like to think

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?
A: Not a follower of Twitter or

of myself as pretty straight
forward.

Q: What was your last tweet/
status update?
A: I don’t Tweet or Facebook.

Q: What sport do you follow?
A: Not a follower of any spe-

Facebook.

cific sport.

I like to chat with friends faceto-face.

Q: What sport can you play?
A: Badminton – not a great

Q: Describe your dream meal?
A: Any meal that I don’t cook.

player but really enjoy playing.

Q: What habits would you like
to lose?
A: I can’t think of any offhand.

Q: Who would you like to have
dinner with – Enda Kenny or
Dame Edna?
A: Preferably Dame Edna – I
like a laugh!

good food and excellent company - works perfectly!

Q: What would be your dream
job?
A: I like a challenge. Maybe
run the county for a while, as
I’d like to make some major
changes, like restore a bit of
equity and accountability to
the system and give the county
a major kick-start regarding job
creation.

earnings in an occupational pension scheme apart
from the employer’s contribution. Investing 5% while
the employer invests 5% into the fund is substantially
short of the recommended and allowable amount
that can be invested into such a fund. Remember the
three reasons for having a pension
1. Monthly contributions attract tax relief up to
certain limits at your marginal rate. The top rate is
earmarked to decrease to the 20% rate over the next
three years, so make hay while the sun shines.
2. All growth in the fund is tax free. Remember even
if you are on the lower rate of tax, it means because
you receive 20% tax back, the fund has to drop by
over 20% in one year for you to lose money in your
investment.
3. On retirement, 25% of the fund up to a maximum of
€200,000 can be taken as a tax-free lump sum.
Very best of luck Joan in your retirement.
Contact John with your money questions at

Q: What do you plan to do
when you retire?
A: No plans to retire yet. How-

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at

ever, if I won the lotto, maybe I
could be persuaded.

director of Money Doctor

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZET TE CALL 60 10 240

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the
Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing

LOCAL

MATTERS

20 GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteMOTORS
MOTORS
Ford gives the new
Kuga a right kicking
The new Opel Ampera

Ampera and
Volt Share
the Honours
in Geneva
THE Opel Ampera and the Chevrolet Volt were
unveiled as the “shock” winners of the 2012
Car of the Year award at the Geneva Motor
Show last week.
The news comes as Opel Ireland prepares for
delivery of the highly anticipated vehicles, where
orders across Europe are currently exceeding
expectations, with 7,000 orders placed.
The Opel Ampera / Chevrolet Volt came in
as convincing winners with 330 points against
the VW Up (281) and Ford Focus (256).
The Opel/Vauxhall CEO, Karl-Friedrich
Stracke, and Chevrolet’s president and managing director for Europe, Susan Docherty, were
both handed the Car of the Year 2012 award
by the President of the COTY judging panel,
Hakan Matson.
The Ampera and the Volt emerged as the
joint overall winner in a field of seven COTY
finalists. The selection criteria applied by the
judges were based on attributes such as design,
comfort, performance and especially innovative technologies as well as efficiency.

Honour
“It is a proud moment for us and an honour to receive this award from Europe’s leading jury of automotive journalists,” said Susan
Docherty, president and managing director,
Chevrolet Europe.
“Our car demonstrates that electric driving
can be fun and reliable without ever compromising the owner’s lifestyle.
“We are extremely pleased that our revolutionary electric vehicle has emerged as the
winner in such a tough field of competitors.
“And we are very proud of this accolade,”
says Karl-Friedrich Stracke.
“This encourages us further to continue our
leadership role in the area of e-mobility.”
The Ampera and the Volt are the first electric
vehicles in the market that can go anywhere
anytime. A 16 kWh lithium ion battery powers
the 111kW/150 hp electric motor.
Depending on the style of driving and road
conditions, distance of between 40 and 80 kilometres can be covered in the purely batteryoperated mode, completely free of emissions.

LAST week, the Ford
motor company managed
to give one of its own
models a right kicking!
As part of the company’s 2012 Geneva Motor
Show presentation, they
revealed the first ever
kick-activated automatic
boot on their all-new
Kuga.
Owners of the car will
now be able to open and
close the tailgate simply
by waving a foot beneath
the rear bumper, an especially useful feature for
those carrying the weekly
shop or other gear to load
into the car.
Ford perfected the
system with the help of
volunteer “kickers”, and,
after six months of testing produced the optimum settings.
“This is a perfect example of how we’re evolving existing technology
to further improve our
customers’ experience
with Ford vehicles,” said
Dominik Nical, security
electronics expert, Ford

of Europe. “The result
is a practical and unique
solution to a common
problem – opening the
tailgate when your arms
are full. It’s a solution
that will really work for
customers in their everyday lives.”
The development team
spent six months working with Ford’s Human
Machine Interface laboratory, using volunteers
to test prototype systems
fitted to a previous generation Kuga.
Rigorous real-life testing perfected the required
kick and ensured there
was no interference with
other systems.
The hands-free tailgate
builds on Ford’s Intelligent Access push-button
start. It allows customers,
who have their key on
their person, to unlock
and start their vehicles
without having to take
it out of their pocket or
purse.
Two sensors in the
rear bumper detect a

Owners can open the boot by waving a foot

person’s shin and kicking motion. The system
safeguards against accidental opening by being
programmed to open
with leg motions – not
when an animal runs
under the car or when
the vehicle hits a bump
on the road.
The system made its
debut on Kuga’s sister
model, the Ford Escape,
in North America, late
last year. Ford engi-

neers re-calibrated the system for
Europe to ensure it
would still work if
a tow bar had been
fitted - as this is an
option frequentlyy
chosen by European
n
Kuga customers.
The automatic
hands-free tailgate iss
launched as an option
n
with Keyless Entry on
n
the all-new Kuga later
er
this year.

New Fiesta ST gets show debut
FORD also used last
week’s Geneva Motor
Show to unveil the new,
production-ready Fiesta
ST in advance of the performance hatchback’s
launch in Europe in 2013.
Customers have clamoured for a new Fiesta ST
since the last model disappeared from European
showrooms in 2008.
The all-new model is
set to take the car’s performance to a new level,
and the numbers tell the
story: 180PS 1.6-litre EcoBoost, 240Nm of torque,
0-100km/h in under seven
seconds, and top speed of
more than 220km/h.
At the same time, the
EcoBoost technology
delivers a 20% reduction
in CO2 emissions compared with the previous

Customers have clamoured for a new Fiesta ST

Fiesta ST.
Developed by Ford’s
Team RS, the new model
delivers significant rideand-handling improvements through the introduction of a specially
tuned chassis that sits
15mm lower than the
standard Fiesta; Ford’s

enhanced Torque Vectoring Control system, and
three Electronic Stability
Control modes.
The technologies were
put to the test over 5,000
kilometres of driving on
Germany’s Nurburgring
Nordschleife.
“We believe Ford cus-

tomers will be blown away
by the new Fiesta ST, and
not only by the exhilarating performance but by
the styling and specification, too. This dynamic
new hot-hatch is undoubtedly our best Fiesta ST to
date,” said Jost Capito,
Ford’s director of Global

Performance Vehicles.
T he high-contrast
interior features
unprecedented levels of
equipment and specification to suit the sporting driver, with standard Recaro sports seats
appearing in a Fiesta ST
for the first time.
It also will be equipped
with MyKey, which allows
owners to limit performance and ensure activation of safety features for
when less-experienced
drivers use the vehicle;
and SYNC, Ford’s voiceactivated in-car connectivity system.
A new bold and
dynamic exterior design
drives home the high performance message and
features the latest Ford
design signatures.

15 March 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited
by
Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns
Road
Signs
THE NEW
A-CLASS IS
UNVEILED AT
MOTOR SHOW:

The new Skoda Citigo is set to compete with both VW and SEAT, as they take their first steps in to the small car market in 2012

TRIPLETS: SKODA REVEAL THEIR CONTENDER FOR THE SUBCOMPACT SHOWDOWN

Go, Citigo, go!
HE motoring
world is about
to launch into a
phase of sibling
rivalry, as Skoda, VW and
SEAT each release their
first small cars.
Named the Citigo, the
up! and the Mii respectively, these little motors
have been affectionately
christened “the triplets”
by many in the motoring
fraternity.
T he international
launch of the Skoda Citigo
took place in Lisbon this
month, and the Gazette
was lucky enough to be
invited along.
I have to be honest, I
am not a petrol-headed,
rev-counting purist type
of motoring correspondent. There’s no doubt I
like a little fire in a car’s
belly, but it is the practi-

cal nature of most motors
that sticks with me, long
after the novelty of a finely tuned sports coupe has
worn off.
It’s for this reason that
car launches make me
nervous.
These events always
seem to involve twisty,
narrow, mountainous
roadways, in countries
that are not exactly
renowned for their mannerly drivers.
And so it came to

pass, that the launch of
the Skoda Citigo, a car
that is aimed directly
at urban and suburban
drivers, involved the type
of driving I like to avoid through a narrow, bendy,
mountainous route, that
eventually brought my
driving companion and
I to a very picturesque
coastal area close to Lisbon, much to our relief.
The danger here was
that my first experience
in the Citigo was going
to be a nervous one
and leave me with a bad
impression.
Thankfully, this was
not to be.
For starters, this small
car has more interior
room than you would
ever expect, certainly
more than enough for
two substantial men to

travel side-by-side in the
front seats more than
comfortably.
Next is the finish. The
tactile points of this car
feel very solid, almost as
though they have have
been swiped from their
saloon stablemates.
Nothing gives you
the impression that you
are in a small car where
economy was the driving
force behind the design.

Enthusiasm
And, speaking of
design, the overall look
and available options in
the Citigo scream fun
and enthusiasm.
My particular favourite was a glossy, white
finish with black racing
stripes down the middle,
finished off with black
alloys – a very tasty look

indeed.
In practical terms, the
five-door option makes
all the sense in the world,
it’s a €500 option, but
makes the car far more
usable without sacrificing
any of its visual appeal.
The drive itself was
another surprise.
Admittedly, carrying
three adults, you need to
get the revs up a bit more
than usual to get it going
up near-vertical mountainous roads, but the
point is that this car does
get going.
Keeping in mind that
it has a modest one-litre
engine producing 60 or
75bhp, depending what
model you go for, it moves
surprisingly well.
There was certainly
no problem keeping up
on the motorways, and

it was as nimble as anything as we took a few
wrong turns navigating
the small, cobbled city
streets around Lisbon.
It’s refreshing to see car
manufacturers putting
such serious thought and
consideration into their
entry-level models.
From the incredibly
attractive fuel economy
and running costs, to the
interior finish and design,
cars of this size really are
competing for our attention.
Skoda’s fan base in Ireland is certainly increasing, and it will no doubt
find the VW Up! very
tough competition, but
the Citigo put a smile on
my face, and having to
pick between these two
would certainly have me
scratching my head.

AMONG the many
new cars debuting at
the Geneva Motor
Show last week, was
the new MercedesBenz A-Class.
The German marquee believes that the
new model boasts the
kind of appeal that
will bring them into
a new, more youthful
market segment when
it arrives here next
year.
The taller, more
upright, design of the
present model has
been replaced by a
lower-slung body that
sits 18cm closer to the
ground.
Built on the B-Class
platform, the new
A-Class will come in
a range of petrol and
turbo-diesel engines,
and the one likely to
grab the limelight in
Ireland is a 1.8-litre
diesel, seen as the
greenest of them all
with CO2 emissions
of just 99g/km.
All engines offer an
idle-stop system as
standard and can be
mated to a six-speed
manual, or sevenspeed dual-clutch
automatic, transmission.
One feature certain
to appeal is a facility
that allows what might
be termed “the i-class
generation”, to connect up and use the
full functionality of
their iPhone Siri voiceactivated units or play
their iPad music and
apps through the car’s
infotainment system.
Electronic elements
extend to safety with
a collision warning
system and adaptive
brake assist amongst
its standard features.

The new MercedesBenz A-Class

22 GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL
Fast
Travel

Croatia’s many
charms to woo
you this Easter
IF YOU are thinking
of taking a trip this
Easter, Croatia could
be just the place, with
its glistening coastline
and a preserved, historic beauty.
Concorde Travel
has just launched
new special offers to
Croatia during the
Easter holiday period,
with many offers to
suit all budgets.
For example,
departing on April 1,
spend seven nights at
the three-star Antuninska Apartments in
Dubrovnik Old Town,
on a self-catering
basis, from €549pp.
Alternatively,
depart on April 6 and
stay at the two-starplus Hotel Adriatic in
Dubrovnik, on a B&B
basis, from €530pp;
the four-star Grand
Park & Villas Hotel in
Dubrovnik, on a B&B
basis, from €610pp
or the beautiful fivestar Rixos Libertas
Hotel in Dubrovnik,
on a B&B basis, from
€800pp.
To book your
Croatia break, or for
further information,
see www.concordetravel.ie or phone 01
775 9300.

Whether taking a trip to luxurious Druids Glen Resort (main), or making Mumm the word for champagne in the Westin (above), spoil your mum this Mother’s Day

Make the most of a
special day for mum
IF YOU have found yourself caught short for a
special Mother’s Day gift
this year, there’s always
the option to whisk her
away for a break – without the kids.
To give you a little
inspiration, and to keep
you out of the dog-house
this weekend, here is
a selection of destinations around the country that would be perfect
for a break for mum this
March 18 ...
The five-star g Hotel,
Galway
The five-star g Hotel,
Galway is offering the
perfect indulgence for
you and your mum to
relax and reconnect.
Discover ESPA at the
g’s Pamper Perfection for
Two experience and combine your spa experience
with luxurious overnight
accommodation and full

Irish breakfast.
Your spa journey will
start in ESPA at the g’s
glorious thermal suite,
offering a range of heat
and cooling experiences
which cleanse the body
and soothe aching muscles.
Enjoy a 55-minute spa
treatment, selecting from
an ESPA-intensive facial,
full body massage or body
wrap, and experience
rituals that will take your
mind to a calmer place
and nurture your body.
Conclude your spa
journey in the rooftop
relaxation area overlooking the zen garden with a
handmade chocolate and
a refreshing smoothie.
It costs from €155 per
person sharing, bookable
from Sunday to Thursday.
For further details, see
www.theghotel.ie or call
091 865 200

Druids Glen Resort,
County Wicklow
The Mother’s Day
package includes gorgeous five-star overnight
accommodation in the
resort that is nestled
between the Irish Sea and
Wicklow mountains.
During the day, enjoy
a blissful facial in the
resort’s popular spa,
where you will also
receive a special Payot
spa gift.
Later on, you can toast
your girlie evening with a
glass of Prosecco, before
a delicious dinner in the
Druids Brasserie.
Then, retire for the
night and watch a “movie
for mum” together in
the comfort of your cosy
room.
Waking up to a satisfying full Irish breakfast,
your mum will feel well
and truly spoiled.
The Druids Glen

Mother’s Day package is
available Mother’s Day
weekend from €170 per
person, subject to availability. For further information, call 01 287 0848,
or see www.druidsglenresort.com.
The Westin Hotel,
Dublin
This Mother’s Day,
show your mum just how
much you love her and
appreciate all that she
does by marking the date
with a special Mumm
Champagne Afternoon
Tea at the luxurious Atrium Lounge in The Westin
Dublin hotel.
The Atrium Lounge is
offering a special treat
for mums on Mother’s
Day. Take time out to
catch up together with an
afternoon tea, including
home-made scones with
jam and clotted cream,
and a selection of pastries

and other sweet treats,
and receive a complimentary glass of chilled
Mumm champagne for
mum – all for just €24.
For further information and bookings, contact The Atrium Lounge
directly on 01 645 1324
and quote “Special Mother’s Day package”.
The Imperial Hotel,
Cork
Enjoying some self
indulgence is a luxury
most busy mums rarely
get the chance to experience.
Rectify that this Mother’s Day by treating her to
an extra-special Indulge
Me spa package at the
blissful Escape Salon
and Spa in the Imperial
Hotel, Cork city.
The sensuous package
does exactly what it says
on the tin and includes an
Aveda comforting tea on

arrival, time in the Vitality
Suite’s hydrotherapy pool,
Brine Grotto and Aroma
Grotto, a pure focus
facial tailored to suit her
skin type, an anti-ageing
eye treatment, nurturing
hand and arm massage,
and soothing scalp massage As an extra-special
gift, your mum will also
receive an Aveda gift of
two travel-sized products
so that she can feel fabulous wherever she is.
The Indulge Me spa
package costs €149, and
you can indulge her even
further by turning her
visit into an overnight
stay with room rates in
the charming, four-star
city centre hotel from just
€89, so she can also pay
Patrick Street a visit and
shop until she drops.
For further information, see www.flynnho
tels.com or call 021 427
4040.

15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 23

Edited by
Mimi Murray

FastTravel

Head East or
West for some
terrific holidays
LOOKING for something a little different
to the usual sun, sea
and sand? Joe Walsh
Tours specialist tours
are designed to cater for
clients who want something unique that they
will remember for a lifetime, such as to Taiwan
and South Korea.
Spend 15 unforgettable days travelling
through areas such as
Taipei, Sun Moon Lake,
Taichung, Seoul, Daegu,
Gyeongju and Busan,
visiting such sights as the
Paoan Temple, the Shilin
Night Market, Taroko
National Park, and The

Tunnel of the Nine Turns,
all located in Taiwan.
In South Korea, you
will visit several memorable sights, including Chogyesa Temple, Cheomseongdae Observatory,
Beomosa Temple and
Yongdusan Park.
Price includes return
flights from Dublin with
China Airlines, 14 nights’
B&B, accommodation,
12 evening meals, eight
lunches, a luxury airconditioned coach for
the duration of the tour,
the services of Joe Walsh
Tours’ local guides for
the duration of the tour,
entrances as stated on

the itinerary and an internal flight from Hualien to
Taipei.
Depart on July 16 and
spend seven nights in
Taiwan and seven nights
in South Korea, at a cost
of €2,929 per person,
excluding tax of €295pp.
Alternatively, head
Stateside in September to join an American
Civil War Battlefield programme.
Highlights include the
Capitol Building, Ford’s
Theatre, the Lincoln,
Jefferson, Vietnam and
WWII memorials, US
Nav y Museum, New
Market Battlefield and

Cruise control
to France with
Irish Ferries

For those looking for a break from the norm, why not take in the modern sights of
Taipei (main), or the Antietam National Battlefield in America (inset)?

Museum, National US
Museum Corps Museum,
and Antietam National
Battlefield, to name just
a few.
The price includes
direct return flights from
Dublin to Washington, 10
nights’ hotel accommodation on a B&B basis
in the Hotel Monaco,
Alexandria and the Best

Western Historic, Frederick, one welcome dinner,
a luxury air-conditioned
coach throughout the
duration of the trip, entry
fees to all historic sites
and museums as per
itinerary, and the assistance of Captain Donal
Buckley, on behalf of Joe
Walsh Tours.
This package costs

€1,749pp, plus tax of
€265pp.
Tours are subject to
minimum of 20 passengers to operate for the
Taiwan and South Korea
tour, and 40 passengers to
operate for the USA tour.
For further information
on these tours, or to book,
see www.joewalshtours.
ie or call 01 241 0800.

DON’T MISS OUT ON TAKING PART IN THIS POPULAR SUPPLEMENT...
...FOR ADVERTISING CALL US NOW ON 01 60 10 240

TAKING a trip to
France by boat need
not be a dull experience, thanks to Irish
Ferries.
The Oscar Wilde
offers a wide range
of onboard facilities,
including three restaurants, two lounge
bars, two cinemas,
mall-style shopping,
a cafe, gaming area,
hair and beauty
salon, Wi-Fi internet
access, and much
more, operating
between Rosslare
to Cherbourg and
Roscoff.
For further information and reservations, see www.
irishferries.com, or
call 0818 300 400.

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT
THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929
Showstopper!

THEY’RE making it up as they go along! Luckily, that’s
entirely the point, as Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
sees an entirely new musical created from scractch in
every performance, with the audience helping to create
a show on the spot with their suggestions and direction,
leading to a unique show to remember. This award-winning
production, which has played sell-out shows in London’s
West End, is set to delight and entertain at The Pavilion on
St Patrick’s Day, at 8pm, with tickets costing €18/16.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340
Jack Wise Magic & Comedy

MEANWHILE, also being held on St Patrick’s Day, famillies
looking for fun in Dundrum will find plenty at the Jack Wise
Magic & Comedy show, presented as part of the Paddy
Laughs Festival. As the title suggests, Jack will blend magic
and laughter to great effect, in a show described as David
Blaine mixed with Tommy Cooper, creating great tricks
and lots of fun for all the family in the Irish magician’s
memorable festival show. Catch the magical performance,
at 3pm, with tickets priced at €8/€5.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 885 2622
Carthaginans

CONTINUING with The Civic Theatre’s run of strong,
memorable drama, Frank McGuinness’ striking play,
Carthaginans, runs until St Patrick’s Day, March 17.
Influenced by Bloody Sunday, and delving into certain
facets of The Troubles, this production, set in a graveyard,
both helps to commemorate the 40th anniversary of
Bloody Sunday and provides some thought-provoking
entertainment for theatre fans. Catch the show nightly at
8pm, with tickets costing €20/16.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622
Coolmine Goes to the Movies

DRAIOCHT is getting ready for the upcoming Coolmine
Goes to the Movies show, which is set to feature a
wonderful night’s entertainment, influenced by all manner
of movie magic. The accomplished Coolmine players will
take the audience through a delightful tour of Hollywood
hits, with everything from Disney to Bond to much, much
more to savour in their presentation. Coolmine Goes to
the Movies – and so will you – on Friday, March 30 and
Saturday, March 31 at 8pm, with tickets priced €16/€14.

With two giant, multi-limbed, bloodthirsty and blind white apes charging in on him, John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) should make like a banana, and
split – however, it’s all just one more dramatic event for the Earthman to get through on his bizarre adventures on Mars

WHILE the entire world
and his wife waits for
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter to chop
and stake its way to our
screens – I know, I know, I
was born to review something so gloriously titled
– there’s an awful lot of
underwhelming films to
get through first, which
even an undead-slaying,
stovepipe-hat wearing
president couldn’t make
any better. (Sorry, Abe.)
Speaking of underwhelming, here’s John
Carter! He’s a bit of a
Tarzan character, one
might say, seen as something of a wild character
amongst the locals –
appropriately enough, as
he’s a much-lesser-known
work by Tarzan’s creator,
Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Through some not particularly well-executed
scene setting, it’s not long
before we’re in the late
1800s or so, saddled up
with Civil War veteran

OUR VERDICT:
THERE’S too much here that you’ve already seen in a variety of
other films. Deadwood, Gladiator, Avatar, Dune – take your pick, and
you’ll see all these, and more, in this mash-up of movies. It’s not truly
terrible, and would while away a couple of hours ... just don’t expect
anything particularly special, or even memorable, and it could be just
the ticket for a while...

Carter (Kitsch), who, it
turns out, isn’t quite the
grizzled, unfeeling and
authority-hating maverick
that he appears to be.
Anyway, after some
slightly dull scene-setting
(oh, if only he’d rucked
up in Deadwood), it’s
not long before Carter
finds himself accidentally
transported to another
planet – as you do – and
discovers that it – Mars –
is full of life. (I guess good
ol’ Edgar didn’t sit too
near the front during his
19th-century schoolin’.)
Carter’s just a puny
earthling – a grizzled,
unfeeling and authority-

hating maverick at odds
with the towering, multiarmed locals, who may all
appear to be bloodthirsty
savages at first sight, but,
in fact, have a complex
society that a puny but
plucky Earthling could
help sort out and ...
Hmmm. This doesn’t
feel a million miles away
from a certain other sci-fi
film from a few years ago,
but let’s jump back the
36 million or so miles to
Mars to continue.
Blessed with superior
strength and abilities, due
to the planet’s different
gravity, it’s not long before
Carter’s leppin’ about the

place, helping the locals
with their somewhat
pressing issue of civil war.
Oh, and their imminent
destruction by a superior
race. Who will then tackle
primitive Earth.
You may think that all
of this would be a lot for a
grizzled maverick-soldierturned-gold-prospectorturned-intergalactic-leader to sort out, but Carter’s
a have-a-go kind of guy,
and isn’t about to let
mistrustful aliens, bloodthirsty politicians, dragonflyish warships
and bloody big
beasties get in
his way of saving the day, the
girl, the planet,
our planet,
and everything – and
then go back
to a mundane life on
Earth – oh
no!
And
that’s
yer lot.

Of course, there’s a wee
bit more to it than just
that, with lots and lots of
CG-enhanced scenes and
characters.
Unfortunately, it’s hard
to say that there’s anything new in this film, over
which the ghost of Avatar
hovers. Oh, and the ghost
of Star Wars. And Dune.
And several other films.
Kitsch (left) does his
best, but the role doesn’t
exactly demand much, bar
standing around looking
buff, angry, alarmed, or –
nope, that’s pretty much
it, and the other humans
don’t exactly have a lot
to work with, either.
To b e f a i r,
they’re working
with material
that’s already
weak – there’s
a reason why
so much Tarzan exists, but
Carter’s a virtual unknown,
making this a
poor, Kitsch
film.

15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING
GAMING
Bytesandpieces
Scaling creative download heights

In Mass Effect 3, Shepard must lead his team to fight back against the Reaper menace to the Galaxy – but Earth comes under attack ...

Making a stand against
the Reapers’ menace
SHANE DILLON

THE wait is over – the
Reapers have finally
arrived at Earth, where it
seems that it’s very much
a case of Game Over for
our species.
Or, rather, game on, as
Mass Effect 3’s longawaited arrival has been
keenly met by gamers,
keen to continue the
notable franchise with the

final part in the trilogy.
I reported last week on
the title’s problems with
being stocked at Game,
but, this week, we’ll
leave any such negativity behind to focus on the
game itself.
And what a game.
Although it’s (just about)
accessible to complete
newcomers to the series,
this is a title that very
much builds up on all of

the expansive back story
already established in the
prequels, as well as the
established characters, to
deliver a title that’s very
much more of the same,
but ramped up to a much
higher standard, and, of
course, with an explosive
finale.
To recap, the Mass
Effect series, and universe,
follows humanity’s role in
the future as its expansion

Anotherweebyte...
An extra effect from
Kinect’s hardware
XBOX 360 gamers can avail of their
Kinect hardware to get an extra boost
to their gameplay, in another sign of
how determined Microsoft is to make
the most of their hardware to enhance
a number of key titles.
So, this means that Kinect users can
make the most of a number of Kinect
features – principally by making use
of audio commands to manage their
squad on a number of fronts as they
battle the Reapers and their minions.
Seeing as squads play a significant

role in a number of titles, and given the
natural immersion that such a feature
could add to a game, it seems like a
natural addition to the title – one that
may not be for every gamer (given
the paper-thin walls in my new-build
apartment, my flatmate and
neighbours would be unlikely
to appreciate my intergalactic battling by blathering to
myself), but one that
will feel like a natural fit for many
gamers, keen to get
any help they can
to help tackle the
Reapers’ plans.

into the galaxy puts it in
conflict with older, more
established civilisations,
none of whom are too
impressed by our upstart
race.
Luckily enough, some
plucky humans are just
what the galaxy needs,
given that an ancient
race of sentient machines
have reawoken, and are
hell-bent on eliminating
– or reaping – all sentient
life across the galaxy,
whose lifeforms would
do very nicely to power
their alarm clocks, showers and spaceships, thank
you.
In Mass Effect 3, the
game can either start
with a new character, as
defined by the player, or,
by examining the gamer’s
previous saves, can load
up their character from
the previous game and,
based on their playing
and choices so far, shape
the story from that point
on, creating what feels
like a unique experience.
Here, the action continues with Shepard and

co trying to unite all the
species for a desperate
stand against the Reapers (Earth doesn’t fare
too well, early on), with
a pretty explosive mix of
intense action, giving the
gamers an awful lot of
bang for their buck.
Again, there’ll be lots
of player choice along
the way, with actions
and conversations taken
along the journey determining how things play
out – and who lives, and
who dies.
Of course, there’s an
awful lot more than
this simple summary to
the game – despite the
streamlined experience,
there’s substantial depth
to the title – but, for those
looking for an all-out
action title, with quieter
moments of debate and
real choice to make, it’s
hard not to be impressed
by this stand-out title.
So, for a sweeping scifi opera, with some great
action, Mass Effect 3 is
a superb conclusion to a
strong series.

CONTINUING the XBox 360’s coverage this
week – and why not, given such strong content
– another “House Party” downloadable title has
popped into view, priced 1,200 Microsoft Points.
Running with
what I’m terming the
popular Apres-Armageddon genre (as seen
in several instances,
such as cinema’s The
Road, television’s The
Walking Dead, and any
number of recent gaming titles, such as Enslaved),
I Am Alive is a notably polished download-only
title, featuring a desperate character’s attempts to
survive in a post-apocalyptic urban setting.
Despite its lengthy-development period, which
led many to doubt it would ever actually emerge
from Development Hell, it’s finally been released,
and has turned out to be a decent survival-horror
title, where, perhaps a little controversially, the
player is battling fellow survivors’ lawlessness as
much as the ruined city’s dangerous environment.
It’s a good way to round off the 360’s House
Party season, which featured some great titles
and, as another enjoyable downloadable title, I
Am Alive shows that there’s certainly plenty of
life in this interesting gaming avenue for the 360.

GAZETTE

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

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FINGAL
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Ms Katarzyna Wlodarska
intends to apply for planning
permission at No. 1, 2 and 2A
Kilmore Terrace, Waterville,
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
for a Continuance of Use of
the childcare facility at No. 1
(ground floor of 135sq.m.) and
No. 2 (first floor of 98sq.m.)
as permitted under Reg. Ref.
F99A/0379 (amended under
Reg. Ref. FW09A/0183 and
Reg. Ref. FW11A/0061) and for
a Change of Use at No. 2A (second floor of 92sq.m.) from Residential Use as permitted under
Reg. Ref. F99A/0379 to use as
a childcare facility to expand
Waterville s Little Stars Creche
and Montessori Services.
The planning application may
be inspected or purchased at a
fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy
at the offices of the planning
authority Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15 during
its public opening hours and a
submission or observation may
be made to the authority in
writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within
the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by
the authority of this application

We intend to apply for Planning
Permission for development at this
site address : 10A, Cherry Avenue,
Carpenterstown, Dublin 15, on
behalf of David & Colette Reilly.
The development will consist of a
two storey dormer type extension
to rear of existing two storey dormer type detached house, being
kitchen/dining room extension
and new bedroom to first floor, with
a new window to existing ground
floor bedroom to west side of house,
2 no. new first floor roof windows
to west side of house, & 2 no. first
floor roof windows to east side of
house & all ancillary site works.
The planning application may be
inspected or purchased at a fee
not exceeding the reasonable cost
of making a copy at the offices
of the Planning Authority during
the public opening hours 9.30 15.30 Monday - Friday at : Fingal
County Council, Grove Road,
Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15.
A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made
in writing to the planning authority
on payment of a fee of â&#x201A;Ź20, within
the period of 5 weeks, beginning on
the date of receipt by Fingal County
Council of the application, and such
submissions or observations will be
considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the
application. The Planning authority may grant permission subject
to or without conditions, or may
refuse to grant permission. Signed :
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15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

DRIVING HOME
Touring car starAaron
Smith on coming
back to Ireland: Page 29

St Michael’s to
row their boat
all way to Wales
sport@gazettegroup.com

Over the coming May
bank holiday weekend, 12
men and women from St
Michael’s Rowing Club in
Dun Laoghaire will take
part in a biennial rowing
race across the Irish Sea
known as the Celtic Challenge.
The race sets off from
Arklow, Co Wicklow, with
the finishing line in Aberystwyth, Wales.
At 150km, this relay
race is billed as the long-

est rowing race in the
world, and draws together
27 teams from Wales, Ireland and beyond.
The team is taking on
this challenge to raise
funds for a clubhouse in
Dun Laoghaire, for the
first time in the club’s 90
year history.
Not many races start
and finish in different
countries, a source of
pride to the Welsh and
Irish oarsmen and women
involved. So, too, is the
sport of coastal rowing

itself, which differs from
the Olympic or Oxford v
Cambridge code of rowing in a number of key
ways. Seats are fixed, not
sliding, and boats are of
a more substantial construction to tackle the
swell on open seas, which
can reach several metres.
St Michael’s take things
a step further by using
quar ter-ton wooden
clinker-built east coast
skiffs rather than the
modern fibreglass models,
used by all other competi-

The east-coast skiff that St Michael’s will be piloting in the Celtic Challenge race in May

tors in 2010. Their solid
wood oars are three times
heavier than carbon fibre
equivalents, requiring
strength and a particular
technique. In common
with other clubs of Dublin
and Wicklow, these boats
originate from the Hobblers of old; crews of local
men who would engage
in unlicensed pilotage of

merchant shipping.
Each competing team
in the Celtic Challenge
consists of three rotating crews of four rowers
and is accompanied by a
support boat for navigation and for accommodating the resting crews.
Changeover strategy is
down to each team, but
most opt for a one-hour-

on, two-hours-off format.
Depending on weather
conditions, the race may
start in Arklow on the
afternoon of the Friday,
Saturday or Sunday.
Crews row through the
night, arriving in Aberystwyth the following morning or afternoon.
The squad is actively
seeking sponsorship for

the challenge, in a drive to
raise funds for a new clubhouse in Dun Laoghaire
Harbour. Currently, the
club lacks space to store
their three wooden boats,
space for indoor training
and changing facilities. It
is hoped that the money
raised can be put towards
achieving this long-standing goal.

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteSport
Sport
FastSport

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: LOCAL SIDE SET FIRE TO PHOENIX

Corduff leave it late
to snatch derby draw
IT WAS an all-Blanchardstown affair last Saturday morning when Santos 15 and Corduff
played out an exciting 2-2 draw in Latchford
Park, in the Under-9s NDSL F League.
With the first half was a very fast-paced affair,
both sides playing great attacking football, it
would only be a matter of time before the first
goal was scored.
Corduff struck first with one of their young
midfielders jumping on an opportunity after
some scrappy play in the Ongar team’s box. Darragh McFeeley made a great effort to save the
shot, but the pace was too much for the talented
stalwart.
Chasing the game at the midway point of
the first half, the young Santos side rallied and
played some lovely ball to get them back in the
mix.
Blaze Odia, a real jewel in the crown of the
Santos contingent, set up his midfield companion, Traian Rebegea, who tucked the ball passed
the Corduff keeper after a lovely motion of onetouch passing from the Latchford Park locals.
The second half started as the first finished,
with Santos going straight at their local rivals.
Five minutes in, the ball came to the feet of Blaze
Odia who jinked past his marker before rifling a
shot into the top corner of the opposition net.
Santos went out again and looked to finish
their opponents off with good pressure and
movement off the ball. With the Ongar side
looking likely to take the win, Corduff sat like a
coiled spring in their half until the time was right.
Corduff broke up a passage of play and
advanced up the pitch in the dying minutes of
the game. A few failed attempts on the Santos
goal led to another scramble in the box, which
the Corduff men lapped up, putting the ball
passed Blair Odia, to level the game and break
Santos hearts.

Tullamore Phoenix were no match for West Dublin Rhinos at Castleknock College last weekend

Teach ’em how, Dougy
IAFL WEEK 3
Tullamore Phoenix
West Dublin Rhinos

0
38

I sport@gazettegroup.com

PROGRESS can be a
slow process, or it can just
burst into life.
For the West Dublin
Rhinos, the 2012 Irish
American Football
League season was definitely a case of the latter.
On the first play of the
season, rookie Shaun
Douglas took the Tullamore kick-off 90 yards,
following his blocking all
the way to the end-zone to
put the Rhinos up by six.
A missed point after
meant the Rhinos led by
six when their defence,
the second best in last
year’s league, came to the
field. Impressive pressure
up front on the defensive
line, anchored by veterans Stephen Mooney
and Nick Newby, meant

that Phoenix QB Erin
Kelly could never settle
and a big stop on fourth
down meant the Rhinos’
offence, which had struggled in 2011, would come
onto the field in good
position.
Early runs from Robert
Pops set the tone, with
Douglas picking up yards
on a short screen, but the
Rhinos were faced with
third and seven on the
Phoenix 22.
Stephen Macken’s
long pass, intended for
Alex McGuirk, was well
defended, but the tipped
ball would fall into Paul
Hosford’s grateful, and
wide open, arms. Hosford
himself hit the point after
for a 13-0 lead.
From the ensuing kickoff, a fumble by Tullamore
was recovered by Rhinos’
linebacker Brent Trull,
once again establishing
the Rhinos in impressive

field position.
A scramble by Macken,
who showed quick feet all
day, would set up a first
down on the Phoenix
15 and, just a play later,
Douglas would have his
second touchdown.
An arcing pass from
Macken looped over the
Tullamore defender, with
Douglas diving backwards to haul in his second TD on his Rhinos’
debut, putting the Rhinos
19-0 ahead in the first
quarter.
The Rhinos D was not
to be outshone, however,
with rookies Robbie Elliot
and Gavin Barr maintaining constant interior pressure and captain Fintan
Corr and Eoin Fox marshalling the unit.
That pressure would
tell in the second, when
Kelly’s errant pass was
picked off by another
debutant, Wellington

“Wello” Omorodion, who
broke upfield. Seemingly
tracked down by a Phoenix back, Wello showed
impressive strength to put
a ferocious stiff arm out
and waltz into the endzone.
A point after gave the
Rhinos a 26-0 lead at the
break. On the restart, Tullamore would come alive,
but their initial pressure
was short-lived. Adam
Skelly made an agile play
to break up a Tullamore
pass before John Keegan
showed soft hands to
bring in his first interception of the season.
His return would put
the Rhinos in a position from where Macken
could follow the blocking
of David Murray into the
endzone for a 32-0 lead.
In the fourth, Rhinos’ veteran Sean Power
thought he had added a
TD to the two he scored

in last year’s season closer
in Craigavon, but a holding flag chalked that off.
Tullamore couldn’t
take advantage of the field
position, however, with
Sam Monson picking off
Kelly and racing up to the
Phoenix 25.
On the ensuing drive,
Douglas found himself
wide open in the endzone
to bring in the hat-trick
and finish the scoring.
But the impressive Rhinos D would not break
on the game’s final drive.
A penalty flag gave Tullamore a chance to break
their duck, but an acrobatic pass block by Kevin
Mulligan-Carroll ensured
the clean sheet.
The Rhinos are back in
action next week against
Northern Division opponents, the Belfast Trojans.
The game will be held in
Castleknock College at
1pm on March 25.

15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

in association with

Smith happy to
be driving home

FastSport

Motor racing ace, Aaron Smith, is a rising star of
the touring car scene, and is relishing the prospect
Roche returns to help to
of racing in the Bavaria City event this June
RATHFARNHAM man,
Aaron Smith, has come a
long way since his days of
karting when he was 14.
The driver was last year
crowned Motorsport
Ireland’s Young Racing Driver of the Year in
2011.
His journey to the
upper eschelons of the
sport have taken him to
Britain and Italy to compete in drivers’ championships in those countries, to great success.
Last year, Aaron competed in the UK’s AirAsia
Renault Clio Cup and he
also made his debut in
the Dunlop MSA British
Touring Car Championship, and, in 2012, Smith
is all set to make his mark
in the British Touring Car
Championship with the
Motorbase Performance
team.
Aaron will join some
of the biggest names in
world motorsport at the
Bavaria City Racing Dub-

lin when it arrives in the
city centre in June this
year, and he was looking
forward to the experience when he spoke to
GazetteSport last week.
“I don’t know the last

tigious and well-known
tracks in Europe, and,
when driving in the Italian Clio Cup, was able
to drive on the hallowed
concrete of Monza and
Immola, where he regis-

time a touring car driver
got the chance to drive
in Ireland. I’ve always
raced across the sea, and
it’s really nice to be able
to come home and drive
in front of a home crowd.
The event will be a huge
success, but I’m delighted
more to be coming home
to drive before Irish fans
of the sport.”
Aaron has cut his teeth
at some of the most pres-

tered a number of stage
wins.
Returning to Britain
for the Clio Cup, he spent
2011 racking up some
impressive drives, leading to him claiming the
Graduate Cup, for young
drivers under the age of
25, and finishing second
overall in the championship.
All of that success was
part of the masterplan,

Aaron SMith is relishing prospect of returning to Ireland this summer

explained Smith.
“My aim from when
I started driving was to
take part in the British
touring car championship. That was the pinnacle of motor sport to
me in Europe. Coming
back from Italy, I knew I
would be able to do well
in the Clio Cup, and I
knew that would open
the doors to the touring
car teams. Everything
has come together for
this year.”
With his Motor Race
Performance team
behind him, Smith is
looking to shape up for
2012 and the test of the
touring cars.
“There are ten races,
and it is one of the biggest championships in
Europe. It’s really massive - there are about 12
million TV viewers across
the continent.
“The MRP team just
missed out on winning
the overall championship
last year, so they have
great experience that I
can draw on. As well as
that, Matt Jackson is my
teammate this year, and
driving alongside him
has been hugely instructional and informative for
me. I’m learning so much
watching him on the
track, and it brings you
on in leaps and bounds
without realising it.
“It’s just the imparting of experience, really.
I’m on the way over to
Britain, to Snetterton in
Norfolk, to do some testing there with the team.

We will both be driving
our cars, and overlaying the data [from Matt
and Aaron’s cars] to
see where we can both
improve our driving.
“The back-up team is
very important - driving
is only 10% of the job,
and the rest is down to
the backroom team.”
The season begins on
April 1 at Brand’s Hatch,
and Smith is hoping to
capitalise on all he has
learned in the preceding
years.
“It’s a big learning
curve, and I’m hoping to
hit the ground running,
and maybe get a top ten
finish this year. I never
like setting goals, but I’d
like to think I can get
some good results.”
As much as he appreciated the challenge of
touring cars, however,
coming home is something that Smith is more
than happy to do.
“I’ve never driven
competitively in Ireland.
It’s a shame as I would
love to race at home,
but the opportunity has
never arisen. It’s always
been the only choice to
fly away from home.
“I’d love to think the
Bavaria event can open
people’s eyes as to how
motor sport is thought of
in Ireland. I think you’ll
see a massive increase
in the number of people who will want to go
to the driving school in
Mondello after the day,
and that is what the scene
needs over here.”

launch Irish Cycling Show

DUNDRUM cycling legend, Stephen Roche,
will return to his old racing grounds when
he will be the guest of honour at the Irish
Cycling Show at the RDS on May 19 and 20.
The legendary Dublin cyclist is celebrating
the 25th anniversary of his extraordinary
1987 racing season when he won the Giro
d’Italia, the Tour de France and the World
Road Race Championships.
Roche will open the show on Saturday and
will be in attendance during the weekend on
the dedicated stand, which will feature various memorabilia from his fabled career.
Among the exhibits on the Stephen Roche
stand will be the Battaglin bike with which
he won the 1987 World Road Race championships in Villach, Austria, as well as various
items of clothing and trophies from a career
that spanned 13 years at the very top level of
cycling.
Roche, whose 1987 “triple crown” of major
wins places him in an exclusive company of
two with Belgian Eddy Merckx, is looking
forward to an opportunity to remember his
famous year with fans in Ireland.
“I’m really excited to be appearing at the
Irish Cycling Show,” says Roche, who now
lives in Anitbes, France. “It’s high time there
was an exhibition of this kind in Ireland and
it’ll be great to be able to remember 1987 in
the company of friends.”
Roche is still connected to the cycling
world through Stephen Roche Cycling
Holidays and Training Camps in Mallorca,
his cycling vacations firm, which will be featured on his stand.
The Irish Cycling Show will feature exhibitors from every facet of cycling and related
industry, including cycle retailers and distributors and there will also be emphasis on
general feature attractions to entertain the
whole family.
Plans in the pipeline include a test track
around the venue, demonstrations, shows
and seminars throughout the weekend. Further details on the show’s attractions will be
announced in the coming weeks.
For more information, log on to www.
irishcyclingshow.com

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 15 March 2012

GazetteSport
Sport
FastSport

Amputee footballers
set for Four Nations
DONAL Bligh, from Clonsilla, and the Irish
Amputee Football Association (IAFA) are set
to embark on a historic journey in Irish soccer when they travel to Leigh Sports Village in
Greater Manchester to take part in their first
competitive international tournament at the end
of this month.
The four nations event will see teams from
Poland, Germany, Britain and Ireland compete
at the impressive stadium.
The IAFA was set up in April 2011, with the
help and support of Oisin Jordan, the Football
For All National Coordinator from the Football
Association of Ireland, with the aim of developing a national Irish league for amputees, and promote and develop the sport of Amputee Football
and the development of persons interested in the
sport across Ireland.
For further information, see irishamputeefootballassociation.com

RUGBY: MONKSTOWN HUNTED DOWN IN ASHBROOK REVERSE

Morgan Smyth scores a vital try for Coolmine when they came from 12 points down to claim their O’Connell Cup tie against Monkstown

Coolmine’s epic comeback
O’CONNELL CUP
Coolmine
Monkstown

22
20

I sport@gazettegroup.com

With the league all
wrapped up the previous
weekend, Thursday night
saw Coolmine focusing on
victory in the O’Connell
Cup when they played
host to Monkstown at
Ashbrook.
T he game opened
with Jason Winfield
striking a fantastic drop
goal between the posts
for the first score of the
game from just inside the
Monkstown 10-metre
line.
However, it wasn’t long
before the tide turned,

and Monkstown were
beginning to make the
hard yards after breaking
through the Coolmine
line.
Indiscipline in the ruck
led to the penalty that
gave Monkstown the
opportunity to level the
score.
Further dominance
from Monkstown was
bringing quick ruck ball
and fast hands in the
backline brought a further
penalty against Coolmine
that allowed Monkstown
to take the lead.
This seemed to spur
Monkstow n on and
Coolmine’s defence was
in disarray when a fastflowing move on the right

Defibrillator day:
St Brigid’s receive
new AED device
AFTER six months of digging in attics,

wardrobes and under beds, St Brigid’s
finally reached their target of gathering 360 old mobile phone for the club’s
new AED and outdoor heater. Seaghan
Kearney, of St Oliver Plunkett’s, whose
life was saved by an AED and whose
story inspired the campaign, was on
hand to present the new AED and outdoor heater to senior footballer Stephen
Moore, secretary Mary O’Connor and
president Herbie Hughes.

wing from Monkstown
broke the gain line and
left their winger space to
touch down for the first
try of the match.
The resulting conversion was successful leaving the score at 3-13 to
Monkstown.
Finding themsleves ten
points behind made Coolmine more urgent in their
approach and a quick
tap penalty from Brian
Smyth gave fast ball to
John McCole, who scored
in the corner to leave the
scores 8-13 at half-time.
Coolmine’s defence
gave a sterling performance in repelling Monkstown attacks after the
break, but, after a mul-

titude of phases, Coolmine cracked to allow the
Monkstown’s forwards
score a try under the
posts to put the visitors
12 points clear.
With progression in the
cup the priority, Coolmine
redoubled their efforts
and Morgan Smyth took
a quick pick-and-go from
the back of the ruck to
score.
Winfield then decided
to take the game by the
scruff of the neck with
a clever kick-and-chase
ball that almost gave him
the opportunity to score
a try unopposed but the
ball bounced awkwardly
and the resulting ruck
gave Coolmine a penalty

as Monkstown were handling the ball. Paul Feeney
stepped up and slotted
the ball home to claim
the points on offer, bringing the score to 19-20 to
Monkstown.
With only seven minutes left, both teams battled hard, but Monkstown
were visibly beginning
to tire, and a high tackle
just outside the Monkstown 22-metre line gave
Feeney the opportunity to
put Coolmine in the lead
for the first time since the
opening exchanges.
He stepped up and
coolly slotted the ball
between the posts to give
Coolmine the victory,
22-20.

15 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

in association with

FOOTBALL: SEVERAL BRIGID’S SIDES IN ACTION

.

CLUB NOTICEBOARD
ST BRIGID’S
CLUB membership deadline is fast
approaching on March 31.
Live Traditional music by Shidgig
this Friday night in the club.

A mixed weekend for our adult
footballers, with our senior, junior
Bs and junior Cs all recording league
wins.

Bar also open from noon on St

Good wins also for our U-14A and B

Patrick’s Day with live music from 7.

footballers and U-13A and B hurlers.

Kids’ disco (for seven to 12-year-

Tradesmen and volunteers are still

olds) also on Paddy’s Day from 5 to

needed for work on our new gym. If

7pm. Lots of spot prizes to be won.

you can spare a few hours, email

Contact Feargal on 0862436779 for

martincahill1@gmail.com.

more info.
Well done to Philip Ryan who scored
1-2 for the Dublin U-21s with their win
over Laois. Semi-final V Westmeath
takes place on March 21.

New club expenses system now in
place, see the website for details.
Club lotto is still €15,000 and takes
place in Russell Park this Thursday.
New players are always welcome,

Well done to all our Dublin stars,

please contact our club coach, Paul

male and female, who played over

on 087 915 4748 or email info@stbrig-

the weekend.

idsgaa.com.

ST PEREGRINE’S
WELL done to our junior A and C footballers on good league wins.
The official opening of our new juveSt Brigid’s senior footballers kept their nerve in a tense closing phase against St Jude’s

nile pitch will be this Saturday from

Brigid’s hold on to
take league points
I sport@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN Senior Football champions, St
Brigid’s, survived a late
revival from the 2011
League champions, St
Jude’s, last Saturday
evening to claim maximum points in their
AFL 1 battle in Tymon
Park.
Playing with the wind
to their advantage in
the opening half, the
Russell Park side dominated for large periods
and, were it not for
some wayward passing
and shooting, Brigid’s
might have been out of
sight by half time.
Wing-forward Eoin
Maguire was perhaps
guilty of missing the
best opportunity of the
half, as his one-on-one
goal chance was brilliantly saved by a desperate late block by the
St Jude’s corner back.
But, as it stood, only
a solitary point separated the sides, 0-07 to
0-06 with champion-

ship final hero, Lorcan
McCarthy, once again
amongst the scorers.
The introduction of
former Dublin star Ken
Darcy proved decisive
at the beginning of the
second half when he
reeled off a monstrous
p o i n t f r o m p l ay a s
well as two well-taken
frees, before McCarthy
opted for another point
despite having the goal
at his mercy.
T h i s l e f t B r i g i d ’s
leading 0-14 to 0-11 as
the game entered its
final quarter but, with
time running out, Jude’s
sprang back into life.
Two points, one from
Dublin senior panellist
Brendan McMenamon,
brought the margin
back to one and, in injury time, the Templogue
men were awarded a
late free just outside the
21-metre line.
Un f o r t u n a t e l y f o r
them, the usually reliable McMenamon
hooked the free to the
right and wide leaving

Brigid’s to return down
the M50 with two hardwon AFL1 points in the
bag.
In AFL 3, league
favourites, Clontar f,
produced an impressive
display to defeat Brigid’s
intermediates by 2-15
to 0-13 in Russell Park,
while Round Towers,
Clondalkin, emerged
victorious in their battle
with St Brigid’s junior A
team by three points in
AFL 5.
In AFL 7, Eamonn
Dunning’s Junior B
footballers produced
another commanding
display against Fingallians, recording a com-

fortable 0-13 to 0-04
win over Fingallians,
while in AFL 10N, Lar
Wade’s junior C footballers received a walkover from O’Dw yers
who were unable to
field a team.
Meanwhile, in Minor
hurling league Division 1, St Brigid’s were
narrowly edged out by
Kilmacud Crokes on
a score line of 0-12 to
1-12 in Russell Park.
St Patrick’s Day is a
free weekend of adult
hurling and football,
with the next round of
adult league hurling and
adult cup football fixed
for March 24 and 25.

Club fundraising draw is now up and
running and all members should now
have their tickets, which should be
returned to club by March 21.
Lotto: Jackpot was not won; numbers drawn were 9, 17, 25 and 26. Next
weeks jackpot is €2,400.

footballers last weekend in the Marian

Membership for the year is now due.

Costello shield; also thanks to Seamus

Please make sure membership is paid,

Dolan for his kind sponsorship.

as you cannot take the field without it

Sincere condolences to the Mulholland family on their recent bereavement.

being paid.
Entertainment in the club this Saturday from Gypsy Lacy. Watch the

Senior footballers/hurlers fundrais-

Ireland v England rugby game at 5pm

ing race night this Friday in the Club

on the big screen with entertainment

from 8.30pm.

from DJ Vinny .

ERIN GO BRAGH
OUR ladies section are holding a junior

€4,400. Draw to be held in The Pad-

disco in the Castaheany Community

docks. We would encourage all mem-

Centre this Friday, March 16. From

bers to support our weekly lotto. Tick-

5.30 to 7pm is for four- to seven-year-

ets are €2 per ticket or three for €5.

olds and from 7.15 to 9.15pm is for eight

This is a key fundraiser for this club.

to 12-year-olds. Admission is €2.

There are tickets behind the bar in the

Erin go Bragh Easter camp will run
from April 3 to 5 from 9.45am to 2pm.

Paddocks, or contact John Kinsella on
086 818 4054.

The camp is football for the three days

Annual membership is now over-

for ages five to 12 years. Cost is €30

due. Please note all members fees go

and €25 for siblings. Please contact

directly to insurance, the day-to-

John on 087 754 1948 or Dave on 086 310

day running of the club and to the

1034.

long-term development of the club.

Our junior footballers are holding

Subscriptions are paid annually in

a fundraising table quiz in the Straw

advance in December for the calendar

Hall this Sunday, March 18, from 8pm.

year. Members subscriptions cover

A team of four is €40.

insurance costs. Children and adults

Also on the night, the 2011 medals will

are not insured to participate unless

be presented to the junior team by

their subscriptions are fully paid. The

Jason Sherlock.

club is managed and operated on a vol-

There was no winner of last week’s

untary basis by the members. Please

lotto draw. Numbers drawn were 8,

contact Sinead at edgelys@gmail.com

9, 10 and 23. Next week’s jackpot is

for more information.

Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and
Twitter, and at www.gazettegroup.com

ALL OF YOUR BLANCH SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

COMEBACK KINGS: Coolmine rally to

claim victory over Monkstown in cup tie P30

MARCH 15, 2012

DRIVING FOR IRELAND:
Touring Car star on his
return to Dublin P29

GazetteSPORT

Gold for McMenemy at Irish Open
I blanchardstownsport@gazettegroup.com

The golden boy of Irish kickboxing, Rob
McMenemy, went about business in his
usual fashion last weekend, taking home
the gold medal at the Irish Open, a tournament close to the young World Champion’s heart, for a record ninth time.
To McMenemy, the Irish Open presents
a challenge that has rarely been matched
throughout his years of globetrotting for
kickboxing.
“I think it’s the biggest tournament in
the world. When you get to the big international stages, you might only have to
fight twice in the day to take a World
Championship, like I did in Beijing last
year.
“At the Irish Open, you not only have to
worry about the world leaders in the sport
- anybody can walk in there and take the
prize - and with 84 fighters in my category
this year, it can be very hard to get through
the whole weekend without suffering a
loss,” said the Tallaght-born scrapper.
With a victory over old adversary
Harold Schmidt in the semi-final,
McMenemy went on to beat Samuel Gag-

non of Canada in the final and thus confirmed his name in the history books of
the sport with a record ninth gold medal
in the Open.
Changing between his fighting and
coaching hats throughout the weekend,
as head coach of Coolmine gym, Spartan
Martial Arts, the respected striker saw his
team rise to the occasion.
“I had a few people taking their first
steps in the senior cycle of things this year,
and I couldn’t be prouder of the results
that came in.
“James O’Connor, from Hunststown,
won the Super Heavyweight section
and Ashley St Mart , who’s only a young
16-year-old brown belt, took home the
gold in men’s under-63kg black belt section, where he beat a world-class opponent, Ricky Veres.
“Cian Corrigan put on awesome display
in men’s 84kg section, and Joanne Deegan,
Bo Mangen and Amber Amalakauskita
did very well, finishing as quarter-finalists
on the day.
“Our junior fighters, Michael Avetisian,
Rostick and Andrew Ivanchuk, Kevin and
Alex Plamadella and Sergei Baskin did

Robbie McMenemy in action in the Irish Open. Picture: Eana Rasmussen

their club very proud.
“Amy McKenna deserves big congratulations; at 13 she competed against one
of the best female fighters in the world,
Charlie Maddox, in the adult section and
managed to hang in there, taking the silver
medal,” he said.
The future is bright for McMenemy and

Spartan Martial Arts, with a host of tournaments and seminars, not to mention a
World Championship, on the horizon.
Spartan Martial Arts is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Coolmine
Industrial Estate. For more information
contact Rob on 0872599418